In-use Stock Analysis of Telecom Infrastructure in Japan

Abstract

Information and communications technology (ICT) has penetrated in our lives, and telecom infrastructure has spread throughout the world. Many kinds of materials are stored in many ICT facilities, and material flow/stock analysis can provide a picture of future waste management. In this study, the in-use stock of the telecom infrastructure was estimated by the bottom-up method. As a case study, the in-use stock of major telecom facilities was estimated. It was found that the main material was concrete. Then the in-use stock of telecom poles was estimated by using nighttime light image data. A total of 3.4 million tons of materials were found to be in stock with geographical information.