Energy Efficiency of LTE networks under traffic loads of 2020

Whithin the framework of GreenTouch, we studied how the performance and energy efficiency of LTE deployments will scale under the exponential traffic increase until 2020. The paper presents the simulation methodology and compares results for scenarios of 2010 and 2020 (assuming a baseline trend). Our results show the large potential of LTE HetNet networks, how many small cells will be needed and that the spectral efficiency of LTE provides ample capacity for serving the future traffic and for saving energy compared to the 2010 base line at the same time. The energy efficiency of downlink mobile broadband service can be improved more than 1000x.