A capacity station activation method executed by a coverage station represented by a base station configured to provide basic network coverage or an operation, administration and maintenance OAM module, the method comprising: sending first activation control information to a capacity station represented by a base station that overlaps with the coverage station in coverage, wherein the first activation control information is used to enable the capacity station to send a pilot signal at first transmit power to a user who is in a linked state with a coverage station, and the capacity station belongs to a set of capacity stations in a dormant state in a coverage range of the coverage station; receiving a first measurement result of measuring the pilot signal sent at first transmit power by the user, and determining, according to the first measurement result, a capacity station that needs to be activated to meet a system requirement; sending activation information to the capacity station that needs to be activated, so that the capacity station that needs to be activated works at the first transmit power after being activated; and if a capacity station that needs to be activated to meet a system requirement cannot be selected according to the first measurement result, sending second activation control information to the capacity station, wherein the second control information is used to enable the capacity station to send a pilot signal at second transmit power to the user who is in a linked state with the coverage station; receiving a second measurement result of measuring the pilot signal sent at second transmit power by the user, and determining, according to second measurement result, a capacity station that needs to be activated; and sending activation information to the capacity station that needs to be activated, so that the capacity station that needs to be activated works at the second transmit power after being activated; wherein the first transmit power is smaller than the second transmit power. sending first activation control information to a capacity station represented by a base station that overlaps with the coverage station in coverage, wherein the first activation control information is used to enable the capacity station to send a pilot signal at first transmit power to a user who is in a linked state with a coverage station, and the capacity station belongs to a set of capacity stations in a dormant state in a coverage range of the coverage station; receiving a first measurement result of measuring the pilot signal sent at first transmit power by the user, and determining, according to the first measurement result, a capacity station that needs to be activated to meet a system requirement; sending activation information to the capacity station that needs to be activated, so that the capacity station that needs to be activated works at the first transmit power after being activated; and if a capacity station that needs to be activated to meet a system requirement cannot be selected according to the first measurement result, sending second activation control information to the capacity station, wherein the second control information is used to enable the capacity station to send a pilot signal at second transmit power to the user who is in a linked state with the coverage station; receiving a second measurement result of measuring the pilot signal sent at second transmit power by the user, and determining, according to second measurement result, a capacity station that needs to be activated; and sending activation information to the capacity station that needs to be activated, so that the capacity station that needs to be activated works at the second transmit power after being activated; wherein the first transmit power is smaller than the second transmit power.