BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates inter alia to a method for saving energy in operating a first and second mobile communication networks by invoking an energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, wherein at least a radio access network of the first and second mobile communication networks is operated in a second operational mode which corresponds to an off-peak time usage of one of the mobile communication networks such that energy or power consumption is saved.

[0002] In most regions or geographical areas, a time-dependent usage pattern of communication is reality, wherein typically more than one mobile communication network is available within a given region or geographical area, wherein each of these mobile communication networks are serving their respective customers within that region or geographical area. In general this implies that during periods of low demand (e. g. during the night) each of the mobile communication networks is overdimensioned because normally the mobile communication networks are designed for peak time (usually day time) demand. This results in unnecessary energy consumption by the mobile communication networks during those low demand periods. The low demand periods are hereinafter also called off-peak times.

[0003] In the context of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), attempts have already been made regarding solutions for energy saving of components of mobile communication networks. Such energy savings are especially realized by switching off radio equipment components on the networks side. As a consequence, a user equipment currently being served by the radio equipment subject to being switched off will have to find an alternative, either in the same RAT (Radio Access Technology), or in another RAT (Radio Access Technology). Examples of such specifications include 3GPP TR 24.826 VO.5.0, 3GPP TR 25.927 V10.0.0, and 3GPP TR 32.826 V10.0.0.

[0004] However these solutions only provide energy saving mechanisms within one mobile communication network, i.e. within the network of one operator of a mobile

communication network. Hence each individual operator's network has to be capable of scaling its capacity, and power consumption, between peak and off-peak demand. In areas of high peak-time demand, i.e. where the network has a high capacity, a high scaling factor between the peak time and the off-peak time - where there might be very few users on the network - is required, which might not be technically feasible. Moreover, this problem is aggravated if the said operator's network supports two different RATs, e.g. GERAN and UTRAN in 3GPP-based networks. In this case, at least one GERAN cell and one UTRAN cell has to be kept available in off-peak times in order to support both the GSM and UMTS terminals, even in cases where a single cell of any RAT would be sufficient to sustain the total number of terminals during off-peak time. It is obvious from the above that, in many scenarios, the efficiency of the energy saving mechanisms suffers from the "single-operator" limitation.

SUMMARY

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for saving energy in operating a first and second mobile communication networks by invoking an energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, wherein

advantages drawn from the existence of the overall mobile communication infrastructure in a geographical area, i.e. comprising different mobile communication networks (including their different layers or parts such as layers of different radio access technologies) such that operational costs can be reduced, energy and power consumption minimized and

nevertheless the service level of a user of the mobile communication networks preserved even during off-peak time periods or periods of low usage such as during the night.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for saving energy in operating a first and second mobile communication networks by invoking an energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, wherein the first mobile communication network comprises a first radio access network for covering a geographic area and a first core network, wherein the geographic area is also covered by the second radio access network of a second mobile communication network, the second mobile communication network comprising a second core network, wherein

- the first radio access network is able to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, wherein at least partly during off-peak time usage of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode of the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks is invoked such that the first radio access network is operated in the second operational mode while the second radio access network is operated such that coverage and capacity requirements in the geographic area are ensured by the combination of the first and second mobile communication network,

or wherein

- the second radio access network is able to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the second mobile communication network, and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the second mobile communication network, wherein at least partly during off-peak time usage of the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks is invoked such that the second radio access network is operated in the second operational mode while the first radio access network is operated such that coverage and capacity requirements in the geographic area are ensured by the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks.

[0007] The object of the present invention is furthermore also achieved by a method for saving energy in operating a first and second mobile communication networks by invoking an energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, wherein the first mobile communication network comprises a first radio access network for covering a geographic area and a first core network, wherein the geographic area is also covered by the second radio access network of a second mobile communication network, the second mobile communication network comprising a second core network, wherein

- the first radio access network is able to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, wherein at least partly during off-peak time usage of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode of the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks is invoked such that the first radio access network is operated in the second operational mode while the second radio access network is operated such that coverage and capacity requirements in the geographic area are ensured by the combination of the first and second mobile communication network,

or wherein

- the second radio access network is able to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the second mobile communication network, and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the second mobile communication network, wherein at least partly during off-peak time usage of the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks is invoked such that the second radio access network is operated in the second operational mode while the first radio access network is operated such that coverage and capacity requirements in the geographic area are ensured by the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks,

wherein with respect to the geographic area, at least the first radio access network and the second radio access network as well as at least parts of the first and second core networks are shared network components of a network sharing operation of the first and second mobile communication network, wherein the network sharing operation is applied to the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks only, and wherein during peak time usage of the mobile communication networks network sharing is unapplied,

wherein with respect to the geographic area and during the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, the first radio access network and the second radio access network are commonly operated to form a logically different mobile communication network in the geographic area, wherein for a subscriber of the first or the second mobile communication network using the logically different mobile communication network within the geographic area, a roaming procedure is invoked.

[0008] According to the present invention it is thereby advantageously possible, that the total available network capacity of all the mobile communication networks installed or existent in a geographical area can automatically be aligned to the overall actual or current demand in that area.

[0009] This means that according to the present invention it is possible to pool a plurality of mobile communication networks. E. g., in case of two mobile communication networks that are installed in parallel in a geographical area, these are pooled for serving a reduced number of users of these mobile communication networks during off-peak times, e. g. during the night or the like. Of course it is possible according to the present invention, that this pooling or sharing of network resources is also possible if more than two parallel mobile communication system are available in a geographical area.

[0010] For example, the benefit of energy savings and cost savings for operating the mobile communication networks is possible to be realized according to the present invention if the concerned operators share their mobile communication networks such that, e. g., when multiple (or a plurality) of mobile communication networks exist, only a subset of these mobile communication network is kept running during the night and serve all customers (subscribers) of the three mobile communication networks. The desired energy saving is thus achieved by switching off the other two mobile communication networks (or parts of the two other mobile communication networks within the geographical area or respective region) during that period. It is possible and preferred according to the present invention that - triggered by low demand - in case that, e.g., three mobile communication networks are present in a geographical area, in a first step only one of the three mobile communication networks is switched off, and - also triggered by an even lower demand - also a further mobile communication network of the (initially) three mobile communication networks is switched off such that only one of the three mobile communication network provides radio coverage.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, the wording "network sharing" relates to network sharing according to the definitions of the 3GPP standardization documents. In the context of the present invention, the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks (i.e. of the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks) is preferably invoked automatically according to the current demand of mobile communication services in the geographical area. Such automatic adaptation - including the demand-triggered enabling and disabling of network sharing - can be achieved by using standardized mechanisms for shutting down mobile communication networks or parts thereof for energy saving purposes and by intelligently combining such energy saving mechanisms and network sharing mechanisms with an associated control mechanism. Thereby, it is possible according to the present invention, that the energy consumption during off-peak time can be drastically reduced.

[0012] It is preferred according to the present invention, that with respect to the geographic area, at least the first radio access network and the second radio access network are shared network components of a network sharing operation of the first and second mobile communication network, the network sharing operation being applied to both peak time usage of the mobile communication networks and to the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks.

[0013] Thereby it is advantageously possible, that complete network parts such as the radio access network parts of a mobile communication network of an operator in a geographical area can be switched off or switched to a power saving second operational mode, and still provide a radio coverage in the geographical area concerned by means of using an other mobile communication network. In the perspective of the shared network concept, this means that parts (e.g. roughly one half of the network capacity in case that there are two operators providing full radio coverage in the geographical area (and provided that the capacity of the two mobile communication networks are roughly identical), or roughly one third or two thirds of the network capacity in case that there are three operators providing full radio coverage in the geographical area (and provided that the capacity of the three mobile communication networks are roughly identical)) are switched off or shut down, and automatically all still necessary communication will be provided by the parts of the shared network which remain switched on. This result can be realized according to the present invention such that, e.g. the mobile communication network of one of the operators which is still operating its mobile communication network also during the specific off-peak time period is switched on while the other mobile communication network is at least partly switched off, but this result can also be achieved according to the present invention such that, e.g. the mobile communication networks of all the participating operators are operated in a second operational mode and the target network coverage and capacity is provided by the combination of the first and second mobile communication networks.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferred according to the present invention that with respect to the geographic area, at least the first radio access network and the second radio access network as well as at least parts of the first and second core networks are shared network components of a network sharing operation of the first and second mobile communication network, the network sharing operation being applied to both peak time usage of the mobile communication networks and to the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks.

[0015] Likewise according to this embodiment of the shared network concept, not only the radio access network parts but also (at least parts of) the first and second core networks are shared network components and allow a still further reduction in energy consumption (by applying the strategies (mentioned above with respect primarily to the first and second radio access networks) also to the first and second core networks).

[0016] Still furthermore, it is preferred according to the present invention that with respect to the geographic area, at least the first radio access network and the second radio access network are shared network components of a network sharing operation of the first and second mobile communication network, wherein the network sharing operation is applied to the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks only, and wherein during peak time usage of the mobile communication networks network sharing is unapplied.

[0017] Thereby, it is advantageously possible according to the present invention, that the network sharing concept can be modified such that during normal (peak time) operation, e. g., at daytime, the mobile communication networks available in the geographical area are not shared between the operators. Only once the demand has decreased below a certain threshold, a network sharing operation is applied to the participating mobile communication networks such that a controlled switch-off of a part of one or more of the concerned mobile communication networks, especially the radio access network, is realized. Again, the remaining mobile communication network or networks are serving all the subscribers of the participating mobile communication networks.

[0018] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that with respect to the geographic area, at least the first radio access network and the second radio access network as well as at least parts of the first and second core networks are shared network components of a network sharing operation of the first and second mobile communication network, wherein the network sharing operation is applied to the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks only, and wherein during peak time usage of the mobile communication networks network sharing is unapplied.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferred according to the present invention that with respect to the geographic area and during the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, the first radio access network and the second radio access network are commonly operated to form a logically different mobile communication network in the geographic area, wherein for a subscriber of the first or the second mobile

communication network using the logically different mobile communication network within the geographic area, a roaming procedure is invoked.

[0020] According to this further embodiment of the present invention, it is

advantageously possible to use normal roaming procedures to be applied such that all users of the participating mobile communication networks are treated as roaming users. This means, that during normal (i.e. peak time) operation, the first mobile communication network serves its respective subscriber, the second mobile communication network serves its respective subscribers (and perhaps a third mobile communication network serve its respective subscribers). When the off-peak operation mode is entered, i.e. the energy saving operational mode of the mobile communication networks is activated, the serving mobile communication network (which is not switched off) will behave as a further mobile

communication network, i.e. it will be detected as a logically different mobile communication network.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the present invention , it is preferred that with respect to the geographic area and during the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, a roaming procedure within the second mobile communication network is invoked for a subscriber of the first mobile communication network in case that the first radio access network is operated in the second operational mode, and a roaming procedure within the first mobile communication network is invoked for a subscriber of the second mobile communication network in case that the second radio access network is operated in the second operational mode.

[0022] Thereby, it is advantageously possible to use established roaming procedures for off-peak times such that, e. g. the subscribers of the first mobile communication network are allowed as roaming users in the second mobile communication network during off-peak time periods and in case that the first mobile communication network or parts thereof are in a second operational mode, e. g. switched off, or vice versa. Furthermore, it is possible according to the present invention that the first mobile communication network and the second mobile communication network are operated (e.g. in an energy saving second operational mode), and roaming procedures are invoked in case that the capacity needs exceed the capacity of one of the first or second mobile communication network.

[0023] According to still further preferred embodiments of the present invention,

- the first radio access network and the second radio access network are both a GERAN type radio access network (GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)/EDGE

(Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network), or

- the first radio access network and the second radio access network are both a UTRAN type radio access network (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access Network), or

- the first radio access network and the second radio access network are both an E- UTRAN type radio access network (Evolved UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network)).

[0024] According to the present invention, energy saving methods are proposed for the case that at least two (but also three or four or even more) more or less complete

infrastructures of mobile communication networks are present or exist in a specific

geographical area, wherein a coordinated switching-off of parts of the mobile communication networks would result in a much bigger energy saving potential than by using conventional energy saving mechanisms within a mobile communication network structure of one single operator, e. g. comprising a network layer of a 2G (GSM) mobile communication network, a GERAN layer, a UTRAN layer and/or an E-UTRAN layer. Therefore it is preferred according to the present invention, that what is called the first radio access network and second radio access network in the context of the present invention, refers to radio access layers of mobile communication networks operated by different operators and preferably of the same radio access technology such as a GERAN type radio access network for both the first and second radio access network, or a UTRAN radio access network for both the first and second radio access network or an E-UTRAN type radio access network for both the first and second radio access network.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferred according to the present invention that

- the first radio access network is a UTRAN type radio access network (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access Network) or a GERAN type radio access network (GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)/EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network), and the second radio access network is an E-UTRAN type radio access network (Evolved UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network)), or that

— the first radio access network is a GERAN type radio access network (GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)/EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Network), and the second radio access network is a UTRAN type radio access network (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network).

[0026] Of course, it is also possible according to the present invention, that the first radio access network and the second radio access network is of a different type of radio access technology such as the first radio access network being a UTRAN type radio access network, and the second radio access network being an E-UTRAN type radio access network (or vice versa), or that the first radio access network is a GERAN type radio access network and the second radio access network is a UTRAN type radio access network (or vice versa), or that the first radio access network is a GERAN type radio access network and the second radio access network is an E-UTRAN type radio access network (or vice versa).

[0027] According to the present invention, it is furthermore preferred that the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks is invoked during off-peak time situation of the first and second mobile communication networks, wherein the overall time of the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication network is divided between the first radio access network being operated in the second operational mode and the second radio access network being operated in the second operational mode, the overall time of the energy saving operational mode being preferably divided on a hourly or daily or weekly or monthly basis.

[0028] Thereby, it is advantageously possible, that the benefits of the reduced power consumption or energy saving of the inventive method can be easily shared between the different network operators of the mobile communication networks involved using the inventive method, especially by defining that the energy saving second operational mode is invoked for example by the first mobile communication network (or parts thereof) during one day and the energy saving second operational mode invoke for the second mobile communication network on the next day. Thereby, it might be possible to define that on even days during a year (days 2, 4, 6, ...) the first mobile communication network is switched to the second operational mode in case that the requested network load is sufficiently low, and that on uneven days (days 1 , 3, 5, ...) the second mobile communication network is switched to the second operational mode during off-peak time periods. In case that three or more operators of mobile communication networks use the inventive method, of course a rotating shut down of one or two (or more) mobile communication networks during off-peak time periods is possible and preferred according to the present invention in order to ensure, that the burden of running the mobile communication network in the first operational mode (i. e. switched on) is distributed on all participating mobile communication networks.

[0029] The present invention also relates to mobile communication networks as first and second mobile communication networks for saving energy during operation by invoking an energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, wherein the first mobile communication network comprises a first radio access network for covering a geographic area and a first core network, wherein the geographic area is also covered by a second radio access network of the second mobile communication network, the second mobile communication network comprising a second core network, wherein

— the first radio access network is configured such as to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, wherein the first mobile communication network is configured such that at least partly during off-peak time usage of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode is invoked and the first radio access network being operated in the second operational mode while the second radio access network ensuring coverage in the geographic area,

or wherein

— the second radio access network is configured such as to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the second mobile communication network and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the second mobile communication network, wherein the second mobile communication network is configured such that at least partly during off-peak time usage of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode is invoked and the second radio access network being operated in the second operational mode while the first radio access network ensuring coverage in the geographic area.

[0030] The present invention furthermore also relates to mobile communication networks as first and second mobile communication networks for saving energy during operation by invoking an energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, wherein the first mobile communication network comprises a first radio access network for covering a geographic area and a first core network, wherein the geographic area is also covered by a second radio access network of the second mobile communication network, the second mobile communication network comprising a second core network, wherein

-- the first radio access network is configured such as to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the first mobile communication network, wherein the first mobile communication network is configured such that at least partly during off-peak time usage of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode is invoked and the first radio access network being operated in the second operational mode while the second radio access network ensuring coverage in the geographic area,

or wherein

— the second radio access network is configured such as to be operated in a first operational mode for peak time usage of the second mobile communication network and in a second operational mode for off-peak time usage of the second mobile communication network, wherein the second mobile communication network is configured such that at least partly during off-peak time usage of the first and second mobile communication networks, the energy saving operational mode is invoked and the second radio access network being operated in the second operational mode while the first radio access network ensuring coverage in the geographic area,

wherein with respect to the geographic area, at least the first radio access network and the second radio access network as well as at least parts of the first and second core networks are shared network components of a network sharing operation of the first and second mobile communication network, wherein the network sharing operation is applied to the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks only, and wherein during peak time usage of the mobile communication networks network sharing is unapplied,

wherein with respect to the geographic area and during the energy saving operational mode of the first and second mobile communication networks, the first radio access network and the second radio access network are commonly operated to form a logically different mobile communication network in the geographic area, wherein for a subscriber of the first or the second mobile communication network using the logically different mobile communication network within the geographic area, a roaming procedure is invoked. [0031] Thereby it is advantageously possible according to the present invention to realize energy saving mechanisms by using a plurality of mobile communication networks.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer readable program code for controlling the inventive mobile communication networks.

[0033] The present invention also relates to computer program product comprising an inventive program.

[0034] These and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of the use of the method according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a basic architecture of a multitude of mobile communication networks according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes.

[0038] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, e.g. "a", "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

[0039] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0040] In figure 1 , the effect of the method according to the present invention is schematically shown. A first mobile communication network 11 and a second mobile communication network 12 are provided in a geographical area and provide both a radio coverage in the given geographical area. A first user equipment 41 is normally attached to the first mobile communication network 11 as the first user equipment 41 represents a subscriber of the first mobile communication network 11. This is represented by a drawn- through arrow in figure 1. Likewise, the second user equipment 42 is usually attached to the second mobile communication network 12 as the second user equipment 42 represents a subscriber of the second mobile communication network 12. This is represented by a drawn- through arrow in figure 1. In case that for reasons of energy saving the first mobile communication network 11 is switched off or switched to a power saving second operational mode, the first user equipment 41 is attached to the second mobile communication system 12 in case that the method according to the present invention is applied. This can, for example, be provided by means of a network sharing concept where at least during off-peak time periods the first and second mobile communication networks 11 , 12 are shared networks. Alternatively the first and second mobile communication networks 11 , 12 provide a further logical mobile communication network.

[0041] In figure 2, an exemplary network architecture for using the method according to the present invention is schematically shown. In the example shown in figure 2, a first mobile communication network 11 , a second mobile communication network 12 and a third mobile communication network 13 are schematically shown. The first mobile communication network 11 comprises a first core network 21 and a first radio access network 31. The second mobile communication network 12 comprises a second core network 22 and a second radio access network 32. The third mobile communication network 13 comprises a third core network 23 and a third radio access network 33. The first radio access network 31 is shown using drawn-through lines of (schematically hexagonal) network cells. The second radio access network 32 is shown using dashed lines of (schematically hexagonal) network cells. The third radio access network 33 is shown using dashed-and-dotted lines of

(schematically hexagonal) network cells. Furthermore, figure 2 shows a geographical area 1 which is served by all three mobile communication networks 11 , 12, 13. One example of such a geographical area 1 could be an airport where during daytime a big need for capacity is necessary. Typically, most of the airports are covered by more than one network, in the example by three mobile communication networks. A lot of airports are closed or have restricted traffic during night time, resulting in much lower needs for communication. The unused capacity nevertheless requires the mobile communication networks 1 1 , 12, 13 to be operational, especially the corresponding radio access networks 31 , 32, 33. The method according to the present invention provides a solution for greatly reducing the needs in energy consumption of at least one of the different mobile communication networks 1 1 , 12, 13 by providing a second operational mode for the participating networks that requires less energy than a first operational mode of the mobile communication networks 1 1 , 12, 13.

[0042] In Figure 2, examples of network components of the first, second and third core networks 21 , 22, 23 are schematically shown. These network components shown are (core) network gateways, e.g., Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) or Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), and/or Mobile Switching Centers.