In a possible implementation, that the centralized controller determines n RRUs in the m RRUs includes: The centralized controller determines whether a sum of first downlink RSRPs, of each of the plurality of terminals, corresponding to any j RRUs in the m RRUs is greater than or equal to a first preset value; and if yes, the centralized controller determines the j RRUs as the n RRUs; or if not, the centralized controller assigns j=j+1, and continues to determine whether a sum of first downlink RSRPs, of each of the plurality of terminals, corresponding to any j RRUs in the m RRUs is greater than or equal to the first preset value, until the n RRUs are determined. An initial value of j is a preset value. In this possible implementation, then RRUs in the in RRUs are determined by using the preset value as the initial value, so that a quantity of the determined n RRUs can be as small as possible. This further reduces the power consumption of the communications system.