Free has launched a test phase to power its ephemeral antennas with hydrogen. The mobile phone antennas worked perfectly during this experiment.
In the context of major events, operators reinforce their networks by installing additional capacities during operation.
Reducing the carbon impact of ephemeral sites
Recently, Free, for example, deployed a trailer consisting of a retractable mast and several 4G and 5G antennas during the Solidays Festival at Longchamp.
The problem is that these portable antennas have a certain carbon impact during their operation. While some of them can be connected to conventional, ultra-low carbon electricity in France, this is not always the case.
Operators must then power these antennas using much higher-impact generators, which also conflicts with their commitments to reduce carbon emissions.
To overcome this problem, operators have started using hydrogen-powered trucks. Free also tested this solution for three days recently. The operator proceeded to try this solution, which was successful.
Free is not the only operator to have turned to hydrogen to power these ephemeral sites. Bouygues Telecom also trialled it in 2022 and since then the operator has increased the use of BTruck5G which reduces CO2 emissions by a factor of 70%.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, hydrogen generators also reduce the noise level in these types of specific locations.
Free Hydrogen Mobile Phone Antenna (Left) – Free Réseau
