The rumor spread like a trail of powder. After the publication of an article on the end of mobile packages with huge data envelopes, many media echo it in their columns. Very quickly, the information spread on social networks, arousing the discontent of certain Internet users. Xavier Niel, free mobile boss (the most generous operator on the data envelopes), reacted in person to this rumor. No, mobile offers will not change, he said. So who to believe? To put an end to rumor, the Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) has expressed itself.
– Xavier Niel (@xavier75) FEBRUARY 2, 2025
Because it is she who is mentioned in the false initial information. While operators like Free Mobile continue to push the limits with ever more attractive offers, some are worried about the environmental impact of such offers. What if the solution was to ration our precious gigabytes? This idea was wrongly attributed to Ademe (The Environment and Energy Management Agency).
The Environment and Energy Management Agency does not have the power to propose a law to the National Assembly. Only ministers and deputies can. On the other hand, ADEME can provide elements and studies whose deputies can be used to defend their texts. If a law is in reflection, the recent studies of ADEME would not go in the direction of a limitation of the data envelopes. Indeed, mobile plans represent only a drop of water in the ecological impact of digital in France. The figures are eloquent: Only 5% of emissions in the sector are attributable to themwhile the data centers and our electronic gadgets cut the lion share with 95% of the carbon cake. And these figures do not yet take into account the impact of artificial intelligence in the consumption of servers.
To smarter consumption
Ademe therefore never logically never issued the idea of an arbitrary limitation of the packages. On the other hand, it encourages the adoption of smarter behavior. She suggests, for example, to favor Wi-Fi at home or at the office, rather than unnecessarily soliciting 4G and 5G networks. A common sense recommendation that relieves infrastructure without depriving us of our uses.
The agency also emphasizes the sustainability of our equipment. Rather than giving in to the frantic race to the last fashionable smartphone, why not have our devices last longer? The message seems to have passed (unless the economic crisis is the manager) since the renewal rate has gone from 2 years to 3 years in only three years. Above all, the reconditioned sector is experiencing dazzling growth.
Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly the major concern of ADEME. In 2023, only for Google alone, activities in this sector have generated 14.3 million tonnes of CO2, a vertiginous increase of 48% since 2019. Web giants are aware of it: Amazon aims for carbon neutrality by 2040, Microsoft and Apple give each other up to 2030? It remains to be seen to what extent they intend to do it. In the meantime, AI has widely democratized with catastrophic consequences for the environment.
- Generous mobile plans are not threatened with disappearance, unlike rumors that circulate.
- The environmental impact of Data Mobile is minimal (5%) compared to that of data centers and electronic equipment (95%).
- The real solution involves smarter uses (favor Wi-Fi) and better durability of equipment.
