The presentation invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing cable network power consumption. An exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment includes the steps of: receiving a message by a cable modem instructing the cable modem to reduce power consumption; increasing, by the cable modem, a buffer size of at least one of: (i) a cable modem downlink buffer included in the cable modem, or (ii) a cable modem uplink buffer included in the cable modem in response to receiving the message; and switching, by the cable modem, from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation after performing one or both of: (i) transmitting uplink data to the cable modem termination system, and (ii) transmitting downlink data to a wireless base station, said second mode of operation being a power savings modem of operation.