KPN and major suppliers aim for circular operation by 2025

Network and hardware equipment manufacturers ARRIS, Ericsson, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei and ZTE; and recycling and refurbishing specialists Drake & Farrell and Teleplan have all signed the KPN Circular Manifesto. In doing so, these suppliers agree to work with KPN to produce by 2025 hardware that is circular by design and implement processes that are more energy efficient for both KPN and its customers. Today’s announcement covers approximately 20% of KPN’s current hardware-related spend for network and customer fixed line services. This percentage is expected to grow as KPN brings other suppliers on board in the pursuit of its circular business model.

“Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges in our society and it’s time for action, not words. As the Netherland’s largest ICT-provider, we recognize that we have a leading role to play to enable the necessary transition towards a sustainable and increasingly circular economy. That’s why we’re implementing our own circular economy target with a demanding timeline,” said Eelco Blok, CEO of KPN. “We’re very pleased that such important partners have accepted this challenge and share our determination. After all, it’s only by working together that we can realize the innovation necessary to become circular. Their support is key and the knowledge we develop together can also benefit other stakeholders who seek to reduce their own environmental impact.”

The KPN Circular Manifesto outlines KPN’s goal of minimizing its carbon and environmental footprint even as the volume of data traffic is expected to continue to grow exponentially. In addition to the manifesto, KPN has signed individual agreements with each of the suppliers outlining the focus areas of collaboration between the individual company and KPN. The suppliers signing the manifesto deliver network equipment, conferencing solutions, set-top boxes, modems and/or supply chains solutions such as refurbishing and recycling services.

“This circular manifesto sets a trend in the industry. Ericsson has integrated sustainability in its long-term strategy and in the daily work. We are proud about this collaboration with KPN as only by working together in the value chain we can maximize the impact, thus the circular manifesto will also help to accelerate our own circular goals.” says Rob Wolters, managing director of Ericsson in the Netherlands.

Steven Cai, CEO Huawei Netherlands, says: “For years Huawei and KPN have been working together successfully to improve KPN’s energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Now we need to transition from a linear to a circular way of working. It is very commendable that KPN is taking a lead and involving partners in the process. Together with KPN, we’ll take joint responsibility to proactively drive an energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and low-carbon society.”

KPN has been climate neutral since 2015 and has lowered its annual energy consumption for six consecutive years through to 2016 while absorbing an eight-fold increase in data volume during that same time. Recently recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) as the world’s most sustainable telecommunications company, KPN is on track to reduce its energy consumption by 50% by 2030, compared with 2010. This target takes into account the expected continued exponential growth in data traffic amid the increased digitization of society and the expected growth of the Internet of Things. KPN currently accounts for approximately 0.8% of Dutch electricity consumption.

KPN believes in the potential of smart ICT solutions to significantly reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and the use of natural resources. The company continuously seeks to further reduce both its own carbon footprint and that of its customers through KPN products and services while at the same time enabling the delivery of better service. KPN’s mission is to make life more fun, free and easy by connecting in an innovative, simple, reliable and sustainable manner.

Interested to learn more about KPN’s comprehensive sustainability policy?

NOTE TO THE EDITORS:

Press inquiries: Victorina de Boer, KPN Mediarelations, 070-4466300, press@KPN.com.

ARRIS International plc. (NASDAQ: ARRS) is a world leader in entertainment and communications technology. Our innovations combine hardware, software, and services across the cloud, network, and home to power TV and internet for millions of people around the globe. The people of ARRIS collaborate with the world's top service providers, content providers, and retailers to advance the state of our industry and pioneer tomorrow's connected world. www.arris.com

Minimizing waste and maximizing re-use - Drake & Farrell is a leading provider of supply chain solutions focused upon customer specific reverse processes, including functional screening, repair and refurbishing. Drake & Farrell delivers end to end green and profitable results for clients in various industries such as telecoms, online retail, healthcare and FMCG, supporting their transition from a linear to a circular business model. Find us at www.drakeandfarrell.com and contact Thijs Bender at t.bender@drakeandfarrell.nl or +31 610533900.

Ericsson is a world leader in communications technology and services with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Our organization consists of more than 111,000 experts who provide customers in 180 countries with innovative solutions and services. Together we are building a more connected future where anyone and any industry is empowered to reach their full potential. The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on NASDAQ in New York. Read more on www.ericsson.com.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is an industry leading technology company that enables customers to go further, faster. With the industry's most comprehensive portfolio, spanning the cloud to the data center to workplace applications, our technology and services help customers around the world make IT more efficient, more productive and more secure.

Huawei (www.huawei.com/en/sustainabili...) is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider which aim it is to enrich life and improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry.

Teleplan International N.V. is an industry leader in lifecycle care solutions for technology products including Mobile, Customer Premises Equipment and Value Recovery Solutions. Focusing on Customer Care, Managed Logistics, Parts Management, Screening & Testing, Repair/Refurbish and Resell/Recycle. Headquartered in Amsterdam/Schiphol, the Netherlands, Teleplan’s service centers have a global reach of over 120 countries and employ over 5000 people. For further information: www.teleplan.com

ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE’s products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.