Future Networking -v- Energy Limits

The 1980s saw networks begin a transition from copper-cable moderated growth to an acceleration of creativity powered by optical fibre and mobile technology. The widespread digital connectivity of people and machines led to mobile working, social media, eCommerce, Cloud Computing, and over-the-top (OTT) media services. Throughout this era, network providers failed to anticipate, and satisfy, the manifest growth potential despite demonstrably solid Moore’s Law (related) predictions. They also failed to recognise mounting energy costs and the coming crisis posed by the expansion of cloud computing, networked Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet-of-Things (IoT), $5 / 6 \mathrm{G}$, and (possibly) quantum computing! In this session we review the status quo and propose some radical solutions to the likely energy demands of a growing IoT.