AI, 6G and Sustainability: NGMN’s Perspective

Why It Matters

Operators, vendors and regulators face material implications for capex, energy demand and emissions targets; how the industry designs AI and 6G infrastructure will shape whether networks help or hinder operators’ net-zero commitments.

Summary

At Mobile World Congress, the NGMN Alliance — an operator-driven consortium — will spotlight three interlocking strategic pillars: route to disaggregation, green future networks and 6G, offering guidance and practical examples for operators and vendors. NGMN board director Arash Assura warned that AI-driven networks create sustainability challenges including rising energy and carbon footprints, larger GPU-heavy data center and edge infrastructure with embodied carbon and e-waste risks, and regulatory/privacy concerns tied to responsible AI. He also flagged supply-chain and rebound effects where vendor dependence and efficiency gains could perversely increase overall emissions. NGMN stresses that AI and 6G must be adopted with energy-conscious, carbon-accounted and governance-focused approaches to deliver genuine sustainability.

Original Description

Arash Ashouriha, NGMN Board Director and SVP Group Technology at Deutsche Telekom, outlines the NGMN Alliance’s approach to building next generation mobile networks with a focus on sustainability. He discusses the main challenges of AI adoption in telecoms from a green perspective, including energy consumption, infrastructure footprint, responsible AI, and supply chain effects. Ashouriha emphasises the need for careful management to ensure that AI-driven efficiencies do not inadvertently increase overall energy use. The discussion also previews NGMN’s strategic priorities and upcoming insights at Mobile World Congress.

Featuring:

Arash Ashouriha, NGMN Board Director, SVP Group Technology, Deutsche Telekom

Recorded February 2026

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