Capacity management methods and apparatus for use in a wireless network

A communications system comprising:

• a first wireless base station of a first cell of a first wireless network, the first wireless base station including:
• memory;
• and
• a first processor that controls the first wireless base station to perform the following operations:
• receiving a power down instruction message, said power down instruction message resulting from an activation of a second wireless base station of the first wireless network in the proximity of the first wireless base station;
• identifying user equipment devices with active communications sessions which will continue to be supported by the first wireless base station after completion of power down procedures, said power down procedures reducing the first wireless base station's transmission power level and coverage area;
• decreasing a user equipment device inactivity timer length for one or more of the identified user equipment devices from a first length to a second length for a first period of time to comply with the power down instruction message, said first period of time being a period of time during which the first wireless base station performs said power down procedures;
• and
• during said power down procedures continuing, by the first wireless base station, to transmit packets to user equipment devices with active communications sessions which will not be supported after the completion of the power down procedures.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including a first set of computer executable instructions which when executed by a processor of a first wireless base station of a first cell of a first wireless network cause the first wireless base station to:

• receive a power down instruction message, said power down instruction message resulting from an activation of a second wireless base station of the first wireless network in the proximity of the first wireless base station;
• identify user equipment devices with active communications sessions which will continue to be supported by the first wireless base station after completion of power down procedures, said power down procedures reducing the first wireless base station's transmission power level and coverage area;
• decrease a user equipment device inactivity timer length for one or more of the identified user equipment devices from a first length to a second length for a first period of time to comply with the power down instruction message, said first period of time being a period of time during which the first wireless base station performs said power down procedures;
• and
• during said power down procedures continue, by the first wireless base station, to transmit packets to user equipment devices with active communications sessions which will not be supported after the completion of the power down procedures.