# Unnecessary Lambda Provisioned Concurrency on Low-Utilization Functions

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# Unnecessary Lambda Provisioned Concurrency on Low-Utilization Functions

## Explanation

This inefficiency occurs when Provisioned Concurrency is enabled for Lambda functions that do not require consistently low latency or steady traffic. In such cases, reserved capacity remains allocated and billed during idle periods, creating ongoing cost without proportional performance or business benefit. This is distinct from standard Lambda execution charges, which are purely usage-based.

## Relevant Billing Model

Lambda Provisioned Concurrency is billed per unit of concurrency per hour while enabled, regardless of invocation volume. Charges accrue continuously for reserved capacity even when functions are idle.

## Detection

- Review whether functions with Provisioned Concurrency have sustained or predictable traffic patterns

- Assess whether cold-start latency materially impacts user experience or system behavior

- Identify functions where reserved concurrency appears idle for extended periods

## Remediation

- Remove Provisioned Concurrency from functions without strict latency or availability requirements

- Reserve Provisioned Concurrency only for workloads with consistent traffic or critical cold-start sensitivity

## Relevant Documentation

[https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/provisioned-concurrency.html](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/provisioned-concurrency.html)

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## At a glance

Reference

CER-0290

Cloud provider

AWS

Service

AWS Lambda

Category

[Compute](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/compute)

Inefficiency type

Unused reserved capacity

## Contributed by

- Kevin Talbierz 

### Kevin Talbierz

FinOps Manager @ Accor

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-talbierz/)

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