Optimised Sleep Mode Activation in Cellular Networks: A Practical Case Study

This paper explores the feasibility of applying sleep-mode strategies in a realistic RAN network, using a deployment scenario from a local MNO as a case study. By modelling spatially correlated shadowing and 3GPP-compliant path loss, we evaluate individual and combined eNB coverage under both optimized and sequential activation schemes. Results show that optimisation significantly improves coverage at low activation levels, achieving near-complete service with fewer active sites. A fitted similarity model characterizes convergence between the two approaches, introducing a deployment-specific parameter α that helps guide practical energy-saving decisions based on traffic load. The proposed method offers both performance gains and planning insights for dynamic, energy-aware RAN control.