Energy saving management for communication networks

An apparatus comprising

• a processor, and
• a memory including computer program code;
• the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform
• obtaining default energy savings plan, wherein the default energy savings plan calls for fully shutting down at least one of cells of a sector or base station of a communication network for a first time period and provides a first amount of energy savings, wherein the sector or base station comprises at least two co-located cells that operate on different frequency bands;
• evaluating energy savings achievable by using partial shutdown in cells of the sector or base station and determining a second time period of partial shutdown that is needed for achieving the first amount of energy savings;
• obtaining a third time period that is usable for energy savings actions;
• and
• choosing to use partial shutdown in the cells of the sector or base station, if the second time period is shorter than the third time period, and else choosing to use the default energy savings plan.

A non-transitory memory medium storing a computer program comprising computer executable program code which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to perform

• obtaining default energy savings plan, wherein the default energy savings plan calls for fully shutting down at least one of cells of a sector or base station of a communication network for a first time period and provides a first amount of energy savings, wherein the sector or base station comprises at least two co-located cells that operate on different frequency bands;
• evaluating energy savings achievable by using partial shutdown in cells of the sector or base station and determining a second time period of partial shutdown that is needed for achieving the first amount of energy savings;
• obtaining a third time period that is usable for energy savings actions;
• and
• choosing to use partial shutdown in the cells of the sector or base station, if the second time period is shorter than the third time period, and else choosing to use the default energy savings plan.