According to Pike Research, "capital investment in energy-efficient network equipment will reach $122 billion by 2014, representing 46% of the total network infrastructure market...The opportunity is largest for mobile network operators, which we expect will represent almost two-thirds of the green telecom market. This focus is especially relevant as mobile operators deploy 4G networks at scale over the next few years."

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2011

ID-TELMIT 2012, billed as "Indonesia's Largest ICT & Media Convergence Conference & Expo", intends to cover how to "apply Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to other industrial fields such as Green Convergence, Smart Grid…" I see this as more evidence that the global ICT community is becoming increasingly focused on this opportunity.

A coalition of Chinese NGOs allied with the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) periodically ranks tech companies on their environmental and human rights performance in China. The fourth such ranking contains some surprises.

The iPhone4 has a number of positive sustainability features, but Apple offers no evidence that it "embodies Apple’s continuing environmental progress." The phone's Environmental Status Report on its specs page appears to have been cut and pasted from previous models.

The growing importance of Green ICT in China was highlighted November 2010 by the establishment of Hong Kong's Green ICT Consortium The Consortium defines its role as "promoting Green ICT technologies and measures for improving its operational efficiency as well as promoting an environmentally responsible and sustainable culture to our society. The Consortium will establish a close collaboration with the Government in developing Green ICT strategic plans and be a part of the vanguard in creating a local Green ICT culture." Its broader vision is global, not just local.

A summary of China's Green Innovation policy by Jin Shang of the University of Leicester identifies Green ICT as one of the policy's four components:

While much of the green computer focus worldwide is on laptops, UK companies are doing interesting things with desktops.

Aleutia offers low-power units that "are designed to easily connect to solar power and work in remote places." Case studies include Africa and Central Asia.

VeryPC promotes its Broadleaf desktop as "categorised as ‘Class Leader’ by DEFRA Quick Wins", "BFR, PVC and halogen free in line with ECMA-370, the environmental standard", "the only desktop PC to be endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust Recommended scheme". (More about Green ICT product standards in Europe.)

The Green Electronics Council launched an international EPEAT purchasing registry which "enables the world’s leading electronics manufacturers to list ‘green’ computers and monitors in over 41 countries across the globe." The registry is revealing about the distribution of EPEAT product availability.

There is increased focus on eliminated PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and BFR (Brominated Flame Retardants) from e-gear. Why is this important?

The television broadcast segment of the telecom industry is at the focus of many Green ICT issues, ranging from the e-waste implications of global analog-to-digital conversions to rapidly evolving technologies for studio lighting. Despite the challenges, there is upside here for media enterprises. How are industry conferences preparing broadcasters and others for the challenges and opportunities of Green ICT? I took a look at broadcast conferences around the world.