Mobile operators allowed to go into energy-saving mode according to Federal Network Agency

German mobile operators are allowed to reduce the power of their antennas and go into energy-saving mode, the Federal Network Agency has now confirmed. However, only in certain reasons.

Federal Network Agency gives green light for energy-saving mode

In order to save electricity, mobile network providers in Germany are allowed to temporarily reduce the power of their antennas. The Federal Network Agency confirmed this in a letter to Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica (O2).

The providers had previously approached the authority and submitted corresponding energy-saving concepts, which had to be reviewed by the Federal Network Agency. Following a review, the agency has now stated that the measures are legally unobjectionable.

In energy-saving mode, some of the frequencies are temporarily switched to standby mode. However, this is only done when there is little demand anyway. Like at night or during the day in remote locations. “We do not expect any significant restrictions for customers,” said a spokesman for the Federal Network Agency.

A basic supply would always remain, an O2 spokesman told the dpa news agency. According to a Telekom spokesperson, the system automatically recognizes when demand increases again and would then switch the frequencies back to it.

At least one frequency remains active at all times, however, and as soon as data traffic increases, all the others switch back to it. Vodafone has already been testing the dynamic energy-saving mode during the day at around 100 stations since October. It plans to expand its use in the coming year.

If Vodafone has its way, calculations show that it will save enough energy to supply 3,000 households. And that’s without anyone even noticing it because of a poorer connection or the like.