Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting a data center relocation with regard to an access point are described. A primary gateway connection is established between the access point and a primary gateway in a first data center, and a secondary gateway connection is established between the access point and a secondary gateway in a second data center. A path switch request is sent via the secondary gateway connection. A DNS server sends an IP address corresponding to the second data center. The data center for the access point is switched from the first data center to the second data center. In some embodiments, the transition from the first data center to the second data center is in response to a detected communications failure. In other embodiments, the transition from the first data center to the second data center is due to scheduled maintenance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mitigating interference which are well suited for high density deployments of small base stations are described. In various embodiments, control channel resources are intentionally not fully utilized. A control channel resource utilization parameter is set, e.g., as a function of interference, to limit base station average transmission power used for transmitting signals on control channel resources. By controlling utilization of control channel resources, e.g., by limiting resource utilization to result in a lower than possible, e.g., permitted, average transmission power level, the base station constrains the amount of interference to other nearby devices, e.g., base stations and UE devices. Nearby base stations operate and/or are controlled in a similar manner. As a result, nearby base stations which are causing interference to one another will reduce inter-base station interference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting handovers which are hidden from a Mobility Management Entity (MME) as well as handovers which are not hidden from the MME are described. A gateway, e.g., a home gateway (HGW), in a communications system acts as a concentration point for a plurality of small cell HeNBs. Two types of handovers, a visible handover and a hidden handover are supported. With a hidden handover, the handover is hidden from the SGW and the MME, thus reducing backhaul control signaling and loading on the SGW and MME. A gateway, e.g., a home gateway (HGW), receives a path switch request message for a user equipment (UE) device from a target access point, e.g., a home eNB (HeNB). In some embodiments the gateway, e.g., the HGW, decides whether a requested handover should be visible or should be hidden, and then performs a handover implementation in accordance with its decision.