A Comprehensive Review of Energy Efficiency in 5G Networks: Past Strategies, Present Advances, and Future Research Directions
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The rapid evolution of wireless communication toward Fifth Generation (5G) networks has enabled unprecedented performance improvement in terms of data rate, latency, reliability, sustainability, and connectivity. Recent years have witnessed an excessive deployment of new 5G networks worldwide. This deployment lead to an exponential growth in traffic flow and a massive number of connected devices requiring a new generation of energy-hungry base stations (BSs). This results in increased power consumption, higher operational costs, and greater environmental impact, making energy efficiency (EE) a critical research challenge. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of EE optimization strategies in 5G networks. It reviews the transition from traditional methods such as resources allocation, energy harvesting, BS sleep modes, and power control to modern artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions employing machine learning, deep reinforcement learning, and self-organizing networks (SON). Comparative analyses highlight the trade-offs between energy savings, network performance, and implementation complexity. Finally, the paper outlines key open issues and future directions toward sustainable 5G and beyond-5G (B5G/Sixth Generation (6G)) systems, emphasizing explainable AI, zero-energy communications, and holistic green network design.
Source: Computers
Authors: Narjes Lassoued, Noureddine Boujnah
Institution: University of Gabès
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,172
OpenAlex ID: W7123349550