Big phone companies face new green challenges

T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, the top U.S. phone carriers, are under pressure to cut their environmental impact as the world pushes for sustainability. A recent report shows that while these companies are making progress in reducing emissions, they still have a long way to go to meet global climate goals. In 2023, these carriers used about 290 terawatt-hours of electricity, roughly 1% of the world’s total energy.

Most of their emissions come from powering massive networks that keep phones and the internet running. T-Mobile is working toward net-zero emissions by 2040, even turning old phones into Wi-Fi routers to reduce waste. Verizon aims for net-zero by 2050 and recently signed a deal for 640 megawatts of solar power across four states. AT&T is also focusing on cleaner energy, but faces similar hurdles.

Beyond cutting emissions, there’s a growing call for “energy justice,” ensuring green efforts help underserved communities. However, the industry faces tough challenges, like balancing high energy use with customer demand for fast, reliable service. Experts say carriers must invest in renewable energy and smarter tech to keep up. The push for greener practices is global, with progress seen in regions like Europe and China. For T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, the clock is ticking to make real changes while keeping customers connected.