Cellular Switches to Standby at Sometimes
Few people use their cell phones at night or in remote areas. Mobile service providers sense an opportunity to save electricity and want to scale back their services here. To save electricity, cellular network operators in Germany may temporarily reduce the power of their antennas. The Federal Network Agency sent a letter to Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica (O2) giving the green light for a similar action.
Netzagentur sees no legal problems
The companies contacted the authority and presented their concept. They wanted to make sure the action met the network’s requirements. “These measures are harmless from a legal point of view,” the official said.
With power saving mode, part of the frequency bands are put into standby mode when demand is low – for example at night or during the day in remote locations.
The primary vision is always given.
But there will be no restrictions. An O2 spokesman confirmed that the system recognizes when demand is increasing and increases capacity at short notice.
Vodafone is already testing
A Telekom spokesman made a similar statement. At least one frequency always remains active. Once the data traffic in the cell increases, all frequencies are automatically switched back. Vodafone is testing the Dynamic Energy Saving Mode in around 100 stations during the day since October. Usage will be expanded next year.
If the technology is introduced wherever possible, Vodafone expects energy savings theoretically enough to power 3,000 homes. The system is likely to have no negative consequences for the phone user. “We don’t expect major restrictions on customers,” said a spokesperson for the Federal Network Agency.
