Telefonica Germany (O2 Telefonica) has putoperation its first mobile phone tower in Bavaria that operates independently of the general power supply. Located in Sindlbach, Neumarkt district, the tower uses photovoltaic modules and biomethanol fuel cells to ensure sustainable energy, covering a dead reception spot for local residents.

Sustainable Energy Sources

In an announcement this week, Telefonica said this solution allows the tower to support 5G, 4G (LTE), and 2G (GSM) networks, closing coverage gaps in rural and remote areas. The photovoltaic system is the primary energy source, with large lithium-ion batteries storing the electricity.

For cloudy days, biomethanol fuel cells provide backup power, capable of two months of continuous operation with one filling. The system, controlled by cloud technology and AI, automatically switches between energy sources as needed.

Emission-Free Operations

The telco said this solution, deployed at the mobile tower in Sindlbach, located in the middle of agricultural and forestry land, generates energy on site and is emission-free.

"With the energy-self-sufficient locations, it is possible for us to supply even rural and remote regions with a fast mobile network, where a conventional power supply is missing or this would blow up the costs. We rely on green electricity and high energy efficiency. This is how we close the last white spots sustainably. The Bavarian Sindlbach stands symbolic for the modern mobile coverage of rural areas," says O2 Telefonica.

Green Energy Initiatives

The company further added that whether wind turbines or photovoltaics, Telefonica has been generating energy directly at the site for the operation of its masts for years. Nationwide, there are around 12 mobile towers whose power supply is supported by photovoltaic systems.

The telco mentioned that its network has been operated entirely by green electricity since 2016, and energy consumption per data volume has been reduced by 83 percent from 2015 to 2023. Telefonica's 5G network covers over 95 percent of the German population.