Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting a wireless communication unit (113) from a LTE cell to a neighboring 3G or 2G cell for the purposes of performing a procedure which is available in the 2G or 3G cell but not available in the LTE cell includes the provision of an additional LTE access point (109) within the coverage area of an LTE macrocell. The additional LTE access point (109) is arranged to capture a wireless communication unit (113) which is camped onto the LTE macrocell and redirect it to a 3G/2G cell irrespective of whether or not a better service may be provided in the 2G/3G cell. The invention has application to presence detection where collection of wireless communication units' and subscribers' IDs for such a purpose is possible in 3G and 2G cells but not in LTE cells.

Abstract: “Spoof” paging messages including the TMSI of a user equipment (129) known to be a vicinity are transmitted with a relatively high periodicity in an indoor cluster of presence nodes (113-121) and the node which receives the paging response from the user equipment is recorded, thus giving an indication of presence (and location) with a fine granularity. An additional presence node (125) having a different LAC from the macrolayer (123) is located at the entrance to the indoor cluster so that the TMSI and IMSI of the user equipment can be obtained. The invention can advantageously be employed in a retail store where a fine granularity in tracking subscriber movements around the store is desired. To conserve the user equipment's battery life, spoof paging messages are not sent to those user equipments which enter the vicinity on a regular basis, such as employees of the retail store.

Abstract: “Spoof” paging messages including the TMSI of a user equipment (129) known to be a vicinity are transmitted with a relatively high periodicity in an indoor cluster of presence nodes (113-121) and the node which receives the paging response from the user equipment is recorded, thus giving an indication of presence (and location) with a fine granularity. An additional presence node (125) having a different LAC from the macrolayer (123) is located at the entrance to the indoor cluster so that the TMSI and IMSI of the user equipment can be obtained. The invention can advantageously be employed in a retail store where a fine granularity in tracking subscriber movements around the store is desired. To conserve the user equipment's battery life, spoof paging messages are not sent to those user equipments which enter the vicinity on a regular basis, such as employees of the retail store.

Abstract: “Spoof” paging messages including the TMSI of a user equipment (129) known to be a vicinity are transmitted with a relatively high periodicity in an indoor cluster of presence nodes (113-121) and the node which receives the paging response from the user equipment is recorded, thus giving an indication of presence (and location) with a fine granularity. An additional presence node (125) having a different LAC from the macrolayer (123) is located at the entrance to the indoor cluster so that the TMSI and IMSI of the user equipment can be obtained. The invention can advantageously be employed in a retail store where a fine granularity in tracking subscriber movements around the store is desired. To conserve the user equipment's battery life, spoof paging messages are not sent to those user equipments which enter the vicinity on a regular basis, such as employees of the retail store.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting a wireless communication unit (113) from a LTE cell to a neighbouring 3G or 2G cell for the purposes of performing a procedure which is available in the 2G or 3G cell but not available in the LTE cell includes the provision of an additional LTE access point (109) within the coverage area of an LTE macrocell. The additional LTE access point (109) is arranged to capture a wireless communication unit (113) which is camped onto the LTE macrocell and redirect it to a 3G/2G cell irrespective of whether or not a better service may be provided in the 2G/3G cell. The invention has application to presence detection where collection of wireless communication units' and subscribers' IDs for such a purpose is possible in 3G and 2G cells but not in LTE cells.

Abstract: The likelihood of dropping a call while a User Equipment (112) is moving quickly from a macrcell (C) into a small cell (B) and then out again because there is insufficient time to set up measurements in the User Equipment, is mitigated by forcing the User Equipment to enter compressed mode as soon as it enters the small cell (B). By immediately forcing the User Equipment to enter compressed mode rather than waiting until it reports that the serving cell is getting weak, it stands a better chance of finding inter-frequency (ie. non-co-channel) and inter-RAT (ie. different radio access technologies) neighboring cells ready to hand out to.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a core network operably coupled to a small base station (HNB) arranged to support wireless communications to a user equipment UE is described. The HNB comprises a control processor being arranged in a first embodiment to: support setting up of an air interface connection with the UE to allow the UE and the core network to exchange messages, e.g.

Abstract: The likelihood of dropping a call while a User Equipment (112) is moving quickly from a macrcell (C) into a small cell (B) and then out again because there is insufficient time to set up measurements in the User Equipment, is mitigated by forcing the User Equipment to enter compressed mode as soon as it enters the small cell (B). By immediately forcing the User Equipment to enter compressed mode rather than waiting until it reports that the serving cell is getting weak, it stands a better chance of finding inter-frequency (ie. non-co-channel) and inter-RAT (ie. different radio access technologies) neighbouring cells ready to hand out to.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a core network operably coupled to a small base station (HNB) arranged to support wireless communications to a user equipment UE is described. The HNB comprises a control processor being arranged in a first embodiment to: support setting up of an air interface connection with the UE to allow the UE and the core network to exchange messages, e.g.

Abstract: A communication unit is capable of communicating in a wireless communication network. The communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving timing signals from a plurality of serving wireless communication units; a frequency synchronizing circuit operably coupled to the receiver for synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit to a serving wireless communication unit of the plurality of serving wireless communication units Control logic is capable of controlling the frequency synchronizing circuit to adjust an operating frequency of the communication unit. The control logic is arranged to distinguish between macro cell transmissions and femto cell transmissions and in response thereto selectively use or reject timing signals from the plurality of serving wireless communication units in adjusting the operating frequency of the wireless communication unit.

Abstract: A communication unit is capable of communicating in a wireless communication network. The communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving downlink timing signals from a plurality of serving wireless communication units; a frequency synchronizing circuit operably coupled to the receiver for synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit to a serving wireless communication unit of the plurality of serving wireless communication units. Control logic is capable of controlling the frequency synchronizing circuit to adjust the operating frequency of the communication unit. The control logic is arranged to distinguish between macro cell transmissions and femto cell transmissions and in response thereto selectively use or reject timing signals from the plurality of serving wireless communication units in adjusting the operating frequency of the wireless communication unit.