According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of power optimization in next generation networks using optimal number of antennas at a small cell access point is provided. The method comprises receiving a signal at a mobile terminal of a user; determining a combined signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) for the signal received at the mobile terminal; obtaining QoS constraints for the mobile terminal based on the SINR; calculating a total power consumption based on power emitted, ܲௗ௬௡௔௠௜௖, and power dissipated in individual circuits of each antenna, ܲ௦௧௔௧௜௖, coupled to the small cell access points; determining individual power constraints for each base station and small cell access points in the network; selecting an optimal number of antennas such that the total power consumption, ܲௗ௬௡௔௠௜௖ + ܲ௦௧௔௧௜௖ is reduced while sustaining QoS parameters for the mobile terminal and individual power constraints for the base stations and the small cell access points.