Abstract: Wireless telecommunications network nodes, methods and computer program products are disclosed. A wireless telecommunications network node method, comprises determining a cause of a radio link failure which occurred when a user equipment is in proximity to an uplink-downlink imbalance region; and in response to the cause of the radio link failure, initiating action to optimize control of user equipment uplink-downlink decoupling-recoupling when in proximity to the uplink-downlink imbalance region. In this way, by establishing the cause of the radio link failure, it is possible to take action to alter the user equipment uplink-downlink decoupling-recoupling procedure in order to help prevent such radio link failures occurring in the future.

Abstract: Wireless telecommunications network nodes, methods and computer program products are disclosed. A wireless telecommunications network node method, comprises determining a cause of a radio link failure which occurred when a user equipment is in proximity to an uplink-downlink imbalance region; and in response to the cause of the radio link failure, initiating action to optimize control of user equipment uplink-downlink decoupling-recoupling when in proximity to the uplink-downlink imbalance region. In this way, by establishing the cause of the radio link failure, it is possible to take action to alter the user equipment uplink-downlink decoupling-recoupling procedure in order to help prevent such radio link failures occurring in the future.

Abstract: A method of establishing an association between user equipment configured to communicate with other user equipment via a direct radio link within a wireless communications network; a computer program product and user equipment operable to perform that method. The method comprises: monitoring, at one of the user equipment configured to communicate via a direct radio link, for receipt of a beacon signal from one of the other user equipment; and if such a beacon signal is received, notifying the user equipment transmitting the received beacon signal of receipt of the beacon signal to establish an association with the user equipment transmitting the received beacon signal; and if no beacon signal is received, commencing transmission of a beacon signal and monitoring for receipt of a notification that the transmitted beacon signal has been received by one of the other user equipment to establish an association with the other user equipment responsible for transmission of that notification.

Abstract: A method is provided of deactivating PDP Context upon transfer of a connection with a user terminal between a femtocell base station and a macrocell base station, the method comprising: the femto base station receiving a message including a first identifier of a PDP Context, altering the identifier of a PDP Context to a second identifier, and forwarding the altered message to the core network, the core network receiving a message including an identifier determines that the received identifier does not match the identifier that it expects and so deactivates the PDP Context.

Abstract: A method is provided of sending femtocell base station status information to a user terminal, the method comprising automatically: determining that the femtocell base station has taken a given status, formulating a message including a text string describing that status; and sending the information message for display at the user terminal.

Abstract: A method of establishing a plurality of service links between user equipment and a network access node in a wireless telecommunications network, and user equipment and a computer program product operable to perform that method. The method comprises: determining that there is data traffic to be sent between user equipment and the network access node; establishing a first service link for communication of the data traffic; determining that there is further data traffic requiring establishment of a second service link, to be sent between the user equipment and the network access node; determining a pre-set radio condition parameter indicative of radio condition required for successful communication of the further data traffic on the second service link between said user equipment and the network access node; assessing radio condition experienced at the user equipment and, if said radio condition parameter is being met, establishing a second service link for communication of the further data traffic.

Abstract: A method, a network node and a computer program product are disclosed. The method of controlling an operating state of small cell base stations, said operating state comprising one of a non-sleeping state in which a small cell base station is operable to support communications with user equipment and sleeping state in which a small cell base station is inoperable to support communications with user equipment, comprises the steps of: determining whether a predetermined event has been experienced by at least one small cell base station of a group of small cell base stations and, if so, instructing at least a sub-group comprising a plurality of small cell base stations of said group of small cell base stations to transition between said non-sleeping state and said sleeping state. Such an approach helps to optimize energy savings made by small cell base stations within the network, whilst ensuring that appropriate levels of service are maintained for user equipment.

Abstract: A method is provided of deactivating PDP Context upon transfer of a connection with a user terminal between a femtocell base station and a macrocell base station, the method comprising: the femto base station receiving a message including a first identifier of a PDP Context, altering the identifier of a PDP Context to a second identifier, and forwarding the altered message to the core network, the core network receiving a message including an identifier determines that the received identifier does not match the identifier that it expects and so deactivates the PDP Context.