Transport Network Relaying in Energy Efficient Networks

A method in a first network node for handling transport network data traffic in a first base station, which first base station comprises a transport network transmission equipment and which transport network transmission equipment is a part of the transport network, the method comprising:

• when the first base station is in a sleep mode, determining that the transport network transmission equipment should be bypassed by activating a relay comprised in the first base station such that data traffic from a second network node is transmitted via the relay to a third network node.

A first network node for handling transport network data traffic in a first base station, which first base station comprises a transport network transmission equipment and which transport network transmission equipment is a part of the transport network, the first network node comprising:

• a processor configured to, when the first base station is in a sleep mode, determine that the transport network transmission equipment should be bypassed by activating a relay comprised in the first base station such that data traffic from a second network node is transmitted via the relay to a third network node.