Telia has sent 70 tons of its decommissioned hardware to be reused or recycled after completing its 5G modernization across Norway.

The carrier, which is the first in Norway to have a nationwide 5G network, outlined its sustainability progress this week in partnership with telecoms solutions company TXO.

Equipment recycled by Telia includes a range of network gear such as old cabinets, circuit boards, antennas, radios, and cables, plus other parts of base stations.

Providing an update on the company's progress, Telia said that its old gear has been distributed to 35 countries.

“In connection with the modernization of our mobile network, large amounts of equipment were generated that we wanted to process in the most sustainable way possible," said Camilla Watz Johannessen, head of sustainability at Telia Norway.

"We have a goal of zero waste by 2030. Therefore, reuse and recycling must be high on the agenda in everything we do, and that of course also includes the 5G modernization."

Of the 70 tons that were sent to TXO, Johannessen said that Telia reused 622 parts in its network, while 1,723 parts have been resold, and more than 8,000 parts have been recycled.

TXO is able to scan Telia's equipment which has been dismantled via its "i-JUDGE" system to determine whether the equipment can be resold, reused, or recycled.

No financial details were disclosed about Telia's recycling initiative, but a TXO report last month suggested that global telcos will receive up to $720 million in 2025 alone from legacy copper sales.