Sustainability has become a strategic imperative for all sectors, and the telecommunications (telco) sector is no exception. In a world where the digital footprint grows with every interaction, the key to responsible development lies in the efficiency of the infrastructure that connects us. Optical fibre is not only the fastest technology; it is, crucially, the most sustainable, playing a fundamental role in reducing global energy consumption and in the journey towards companies’ Net Zero targets. 

Optical fibre: An inherently sustainable technology 

The main reason why optical fibre is a sustainable technology lies in the way it transmits information. Unlike copper cable, which uses electrical impulses and loses energy in the form of heat, optical fibre uses light pulses for data transport. 

The drastic reduction in energy consumption 

This difference translates into remarkable energy efficiency: optical fibre requires significantly less energy to transmit the same amount of data over long distances. In comparison, fibre can reduce energy consumption per bit transmitted by up to 80% compared to copper. This drastic reduction in the sector’s global energy consumption is the technology’s most significant positive environmental impact.  

Furthermore, its composition and durability contribute to its sustainability. Optical fibre is less susceptible to degradation over time, which prolongs the useful life of the infrastructure and reduces the need for replacement and the associated environmental impact of manufacturing new materials. 

The role of efficient networks in Net Zero targets 

The commitment of organisations to achieve Net Zero targets (net zero emissions) requires a strategy that goes beyond mere compensation; it demands real consumption optimisation. Efficient optical fibre networks are an indispensable ally in this mission.  

An infrastructure like lyntia’s, based on optical fibre, helps its customers reduce their digital footprint in two key ways: 

Optimisation of the own infrastructure 

By operating with a more efficient infrastructure, the energy consumption of the operator itself and of connected data centers is drastically reduced, contributing directly to the telco sector’s Net Zero targets. 

Enabling efficiency in other sectors 

Optical fibre is the foundation for enabling sustainable technologies in other industries, such as remote working (reducing transport), Smart Grids (optimising energy distribution), and smart logistics (reducing the carbon footprint of transport).  

This functionality of optical fibre, which acts as an enabler of ecological efficiency across the economy, underscores its dual role in sustainability: it is not only a clean technology in itself, but it allows other industries to be clean too. We delve deeper into this concept and lyntia’s commitment to this vision in our article: Optical fibre as a bridge to sustainability. 

Conclusion: lyntia, driving a responsible digital footprint 

The ‘green kilowatt‘ represents the future of telecommunications: a future where high-capacity connectivity is achieved in the most sustainable way possible. lyntia’s optical fibre is a fundamental pillar of this vision, offering the energy efficiency necessary for digital growth without environmental compromises. By investing in infrastructures that reduce consumption, like optical fibre, we are building not only a faster network but also a more competitive, resilient, and, above all, sustainable country.