Abstract: A communication system covering an area, including a plurality of first units. Each of the first units being configured to control the allocation of channels in a part of the area. At least one of the first units being configured to send information relating to channel allocation in the part of the area associated with the at least one first unit to at least one other of the first units. The at least one other of the first means units being configured to take into account the received information when controlling the allocation of channels in the part of the area associated with the at least one other first units.

Abstract: A method in a communication network comprising a core network and a radio access network. At least one target cell is defined for at least one originating cell controlled by a first radio access network node. A request for a packet switched communication address of a second RAN node of the target cell is delivered to the second RAN node, and a response comprising the requested address is returned. The request and the response are transferred between the first radio access network node and the second radio access network node in information containers that are transparent to the core network. The received address information is stored in the first radio access network node for facilitating delivery of data packets between the originating cell and the target cell. Based on the stored cell-specific information, information may be exchanged between the nodes controlling the cells without congesting the essential core network elements and interfaces.

Abstract: A method in a communication network comprising a core network and a radio access network. At least one target cell is defined for at least one originating cell controlled by a first radio access network node. A request for a packet switched communication address of a second RAN node of the target cell is delivered to the second RAN node, and a response comprising the requested address is returned. The request and the response are transferred between the first radio access network node and the second radio access network node in information containers that are transparent to the core network. The received address information is stored in the first radio access network node for facilitating delivery of data packets between the originating cell and the target cell. Based on the stored cell-specific information, information may be exchanged between the nodes controlling the cells without congesting the essential core network elements and interfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of allocating Abis interface transmission channels in a packet cellular radio network, and to a network part utilizing the method. The method comprises (502) allocating fixedly a certain number of transmission channels to base-station-specific operations and maintenance signalling and to transceiver-specific telecommunication signalling; and (504) allocating dynamically, using in-band signalling, a necessary number of transmission channels to packet data transfer, the amount of packet data varying according to the modulation and coding scheme used on a Um interface.

Abstract: This invention describes a methodology for improving the performance of downlink data transfer during handovers of packet switched connections by informing the SGSN about a cell change and reducing the service interruption during the cell change. Compared to the existing procedure described in the 3GPP TS 43.129 V6. 1.0 (2004-11), the present invention eliminates the need for a cell update and a flush procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a group communication handover in a communications system supporting group communication. In the invention communications terminals are detected that belong to a communications group; a load of the communications group is monitored in a first resource; and if the load exceeds a preset load level in the first resource, to at least one of the communications terminals of the group the group communication handover is performed from the first resource to a second resource.

Abstract: A method for use in a network covering a region, said region comprising a plurality of areas, a user being assigned to at least oen of said area and having associated therewith a plurality of candidate areas to which the user may be assigned, said method comprising the steps of receiving information identifying said plurality of candidate areas; estimating for each candidate area a parameter, said parameter assuming that said user is assigned to said candidate area; and prioritising said plurality of candidate areas which takes into account the estimated value of said parameter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus implementing the method for optimizing data transmission resources, particularly resources on the air interface, between terminals and a network element. To diminish capacity differences of different legs or connection parts in the connection, the network adapts (2-5, 2-10A, 2-13) the traffic channel resources between the terminal and the network to be suitable for the outward connection of the network element, e.g. the connection to another mobile station or to a fixed network, by observing and comparing the data transmission capacities of the connection parts or by receiving from the outward connection part the information (2-4, 2-9A, 2-9B, 2-12, 2-14) on its data transmission capacity.

Abstract: A method of managing cell-specific address information in a communication network. In the method for at least one originating cell controlled by a first radio access network node at least one target cell is defined. A request for a packet switched communication address of a second radio access network node of the target cell is generated and transferred to a support node serving the first radio access network node. In the support node the requested address is retrieved and response carrying the requested address is delivered to the first radio access network node. The first radio access network node stores the address to the first radio access network node for facilitating delivery of data packets between the originating cell and the target cell.

Abstract: A method in a communication network comprising a core network and a radio access network. At least one target cell is defined for at least one originating cell controlled by a first radio access network node. A request for a packet switched communication address of a second RAN node of the target cell is delivered to the second RAN node, and a response comprising the requested address is returned. The request and the response are transferred between the first radio access network node and the second radio access network node in information containers that are transparent to the core network. The received address information is stored in the first radio access network node for facilitating delivery of data packets between the originating cell and the target cell. Based on the stored cell-specific information, information may be exchanged between the nodes controlling the cells without congesting the essential core network elements and interfaces.

Abstract: A communication system covering an area, said system comprising a plurality of first means, each of said first means being arranged to control the allocation of channels in a part of said area, at least one of said area, at least one of said first means being arranged to send information relating to channel allocation in the part of the area associated with said at least one first means to at least one other of said first means, said at least one other of said first means being arranged to take into account said received information when controlling the allocation of channels in the part of the area associated with said at least one other first means.

Abstract: A method for use in a network covering a region, said region comprising a plurality of areas, a user being assigned to at least oen of said area and having associated therewith a plurality of candidate areas to which the user may be assigned, said method comprising the steps of receiving information identifying said plurality of candidate areas; estimating for each candidate area a parameter, said parameter assuming that said user is assigned to said candidate area; and prioritising said plurality of candidate areas which takes into account the estimated value of said parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of allocating Abis interface transmission channels in a packet cellular radio network, and to a network part utilizing the method. The method comprises (502) allocating fixedly a certain number of transmission channels to base-station-specific operations and maintenance signalling and to transceiver-specific telecommunication signalling; and (504) allocating dynamically, using in-band signalling, a necessary number of transmission channels to packet data transfer, the amount of packet data varying according to the modulation and coding scheme used on a Um interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining path attenuation of radio waves in a radio system, in which at least a two-dimensional vector map describing the environment of a base station is used for determining the coverage area of the base station of the system, and in which the strength of the emission of a transmitter is determined at various points in the environment. The invention is implemented by calculating from the base stations environment described by the vector map a polygon area to which radio waves can propagate both directly and by means of diffraction and reflections, by estimating the strength of the emission of the transmitter at each location point of the transmitter to be examined in the polygon area determined by calculation, and by determining points of the polygon area in advance, storing the determined points in a memory, and reading the stored points from the memory for calculating the polygon area for different location points of the transmitter.