Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problem of S1 interface failure by redirecting user equipments to another radio basestation, or another RAT. This redirecting may be on a UE-by-UE basis, i.e. when a connection request is received, redirecting that UE, or may involve redirecting all UEs in a cell by broadcasting modified system information. The redirecting may be such that future traffic load, for example as caused by UEs performing tracking area updates, is minimized, by instructing UEs to redirect after a randomized period of time, or by locking the cell after a randomized period of time, for example. In yet further embodiments of the invention, the cell may be locked after a certain number of connection requests have been received. In this way, particularly busy cells can be locked sooner than would otherwise be the case.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problem of S1 interface failure by redirecting user equipments to another radio basestation, or another RAT. This redirecting may be on a UE-by-UE basis, i.e. when a connection request is received, redirecting that UE, or may involve redirecting all UEs in a cell by broadcasting modified system information. The redirecting may be such that future traffic load, for example as caused by UEs performing tracking area updates, is minimized, by instructing UEs to redirect after a randomized period of time, or by locking the cell after a randomized period of time, for example. In yet further embodiments of the invention, the cell may be locked after a certain number of connection requests have been received. In this way, particularly busy cells can be locked sooner than would otherwise be the case.