Deutsche Telekom has reported achieving energy savings of up to 65 percent in its mobile core network by introducing a new approach that optimizes energy consumption across both software and hardware layers. The company worked with partners Lenovo, HPE, AMD, and Mavenir to develop this concept, which reduces energy use throughout the network.
Initial live network tests have been completed successfully, and Deutsche Telekom plans to roll out these changes further. The company will continue developing the concept with AI-based algorithms designed to predict network traffic and manage power usage more efficiently. Further details are expected to be shared at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona.
“In initial live tests, we achieved up to a 65 percent reduction in energy consumption within the core network. Efficiency is no longer driven solely by new hardware but also by intelligent, software-based management,” said Abdu Mudesir, Board Member Product & Technology at Deutsche Telekom. “In the 5G core network, we continuously monitor utilization, detect patterns in data traffic, and dynamically allocate computing and network resources as required. Components no longer operate continuously but only when needed. This lays the foundation for a new approach to energy management, where every single service and component is optimized to save energy.”
The company’s strategy centers on what it calls “Full Stack Energy Efficiency,” addressing energy consumption across all technology layers instead of focusing on isolated components. This layered model enables targeted optimization at each level while considering their interdependencies.
Deutsche Telekom’s Horizontal Telco Cloud serves as a platform for these optimizations. By replacing multiple standalone solutions with a unified cloud architecture based on open standards and open-source components developed alongside partners such as Amdocs, HPE, Mavenir, and Nokia, the company aims to simplify operations and accelerate innovation in fixed-line and mobile core networks.
“Automation and AI are not add-ons for us, but an integral part of our infrastructure,” added Mudesir. “The Horizontal Telco Cloud, developed in-house by our teams, has been expanded into a highly automated and scalable core network with the support of our partners. By consistently leveraging open standards and open-source components, we are establishing a blueprint for the industry.”
This initiative aligns with Deutsche Telekom’s broader goal of making its networks more efficient while reducing CO₂ emissions without compromising service quality—a principle summarized as “Zero Bits, Zero Watts.” In 2025, Deutsche Telekom became the first multinational telecommunications company to achieve full carbon neutrality in its own operations.
Deutsche Telekom will present more about these developments during several panels at Mobile World Congress from March 2-5, 2026 in Barcelona. Events will also be available via livestream at mwc.telekom.com/2026.
