On Thursday. Swedish giant Ericsson and Jordanian carrier Umniah announced an expansion of their joint e-Waste Program, a management initiative for green telecom across the Middle East, coinciding with Earth Day 2026.
The program targets decommissioned telecom network hardware, such as routers, antennas, and base station equipment displaced by successive generations of upgrades. The e-Waste initiative routes the decommissioned hardware toward systematic recycling and end-of-life processing, rather than landfill disposal.
Since 2024, the initiative has recycled more than 130 metric tons of decommissioned equipment, cut landfill waste, and supported circular economic practices. The partnership is a prime example of what telco industry is doing in sustainability areas as it moves beyond theory into measurable environmental action.
Brussel Exports Telcos’ Green Deal
The timing of the Swedish and Jordanian telecom companies is not incidental, as it lands as the European Commission finalizes a set of Sustainability Indicators for telecom networks. Europe is seeking to establish standardized metrics for energy efficiency material recovery accross the telecom industry.
The partnership is a response to sustainability mandates led by policymakers, with the European Commission leading the movement. Through the European Green Deal, the Commission has proposed cutting emissions by up to 55% by 2030.
But the framework’s ambitions extend well beyond Europe as it also anchors green compliance to future spectrum licensing. Brussels is exporting its environmental standard to any carrier with aspirations in regulated markets.
So, almost all of them.
For any modern green telco that wants to align with these targets, the list of the requirements is hefty and dense. It requires a comprehensive telecoms net zero strategy that addresses both operational carbon and hardware waste.
As networks grow more complex and data demand surges, operators face mounting pressure to improve energy efficiency in telco operations.
The challenge lies in balancing high-performance infrastructure with environmental responsibility, pushing the sector to become a truly green telecom leader.
This involves a fundamental rethink of how networks are built, operated, and retired to ensure telco sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, but a core metric.
Redefining Efficiency and Standards
A 2023 survey conducted by EU bodies gathered input from stakeholders across the ecosystem to define sustainability indicators. The findings aim to establish common benchmarks for telco network energy efficiency, paving the way for a future Code of Conduct. Key areas of focus include:
- Telco energy efficiency: Optimizing power consumption in data centers and base stations.
- Green telecom infrastructure: Utilizing renewable energy sources for remote towers.
- Sustainable mobile networks and its applications: Implementing AI-driven sleep modes to reduce power during low-traffic periods.
By standardizing these metrics, a green telco can better track its progress toward a long-term telecoms net zero strategy.
Recycling Networks, Redefining Responsibility
Within this global shift, Ericsson’s e-Waste Program that’s currently active in 180 countries has become a key tool for managing the lifecycle of equipment. By focusing on take-back and certified recycling, the program supports a green telecom approach by ensuring legacy hardware doesn’t end up in landfills.
“Network leadership demands continuous evolution,” said Chief Technology Officer at Umniah by Beyon, Yusuf Sater.
He continued to mention how telco sustainability and performance aren’t safe for trade-offs.
Ericsson President and Head of Customer Unit North Middle East and Africa, Kevin Murphy, echoed this by i=highlighting that “working with Umniah enables the application of circular economy practices.”
This collaboration proves that becoming a green telco requires a holistic view of the supply chain, from the first signal transmitted to the final disposal of a circuit board.
As operators upgrade infrastructure, the responsible retirement of legacy systems is becoming just as critical as deployment.
From policy frameworks in Europe to on-the-ground recycling in Jordan, the green telecom movement is steadily aligning innovation with accountability turning environmental stewardship into a core design strategy for the future.
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