Abstract: A relay for use in a communications network, said relay comprising a receiver for receiving signals from a plurality of first nodes; a transmitter for transmitting a transmission signal derived from said received signal to at least one of a plurality of second nodes, said transmitter having a coverage area; control means for controlling the transmitter, whereby said transmission signal is transmitted by said transmitter to at least one of said second nodes over only a part of said coverage area.

Abstract: An apparatus, computer program and method are provided. A first control signal is received from a first network node and a second control signal is received from a second network node. From the received first and second control signals is determined a first relative weight and a second relative weight. A first message is received and a second message is received, which may be from different sources. The received first message is relayed by transmitting it after amplifying according to the first relative weight, and the received second message is relayed by transmitting it after amplifying according to the second relative weight. The relayed messages may be transmitted to different destinations, and in a full duplex mode. Further aspects include using the relative weights to load balance or set network coverage area as between the network nodes.