Abstract: A communications system comprising: a first network comprising a plurality of first network subscriber units and a first network sink node unit capable of wireless communication with the first network subscriber units; and a second network geographically at least partly overlapping the first network and comprising a plurality of second network subscriber units and a second network sink node unit capable of wireless communication with the second network subscriber units; and a dedicated connection between the first network sink node unit and a second network unit capable of communication in the second network, whereby a first network subscriber unit may be provided with a communication path to another second network unit.

Abstract: The invention is related to a base station for a cellular network, the base station being connected via the radio path to the mobile stations (MS) in the area of a cell formed by the base station and via a transmission network to the means controlling the base station (MSC). The base station comprises (a) a first group of units forming a physical interface for the transmission network and a radio interface for the mobile stations (MS), and (b) an internal bus system, which comprises several buses into which the units are connected and by means of which the units are connected to each other. In order to efficiently provide other telecommunications services, the base station has a second group of units, which forms at least one interface for other external devices, and the base station is equipped with an internal cross-connection for switching traffic at least between the external devices and the transmission network.

Abstract: The invention is related to a base station for a cellular network, the base station being connected via the radio path to the mobile stations (MS) in the area of a cell formed by the base station and via a transmission network to the means controlling the base station (MSC). The base station comprises (a) a first group of units forming a physical interface for the transmission network and a radio interface for the mobile stations (MS), and (b) an internal bus system, which comprises several buses into which the units are connected and by means of which the units are connected to each other. In order to efficiently provide other telecommunications services, the base station has a second group of units, which forms at least one interface for other external devices, and the base station is equipped with an internal cross-connection for switching traffic at least between the external devices and the transmission network.

Abstract: A wireless access network, and an associated method, is formed of multiple tiers to provide for communications between individual nodes. Each tier of the network operates at different frequency ranges and provides for connectivity between selected nodes of the different tiers.