Abstract: A method for at least one service provider to collect wireless communication unit location related data for multiple mobile network operators, MNOs. The method comprises, at a base station supporting multiple MNOs: broadcasting on a first frequency only a first public land mobile network identifier, PLMN-ID, of a first MNO at a first instant in time for detection by first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO; receiving location related information from the first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO in response to the broadcast first PLMN-ID; broadcasting on a second frequency only a second PLMN-ID of a second MNO, at a second instant in time for detection by second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO; and receiving location related information from the second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO in response to the broadcast second PLMN-ID.

Abstract: A method for a small cell access point to use neighbour cell broadcast information to derive a cell candidate list is described. The method comprises, at the small cell access point: performing a network listen, NWL, scan and identifying a broadcast transmission from a plurality of macro cell base station, BTSs; detecting at least one parameter from each broadcast transmission, wherein the at least one parameter acts as a signature for small cell neighbours to distinguish small cell neighbours from macro cell neighbours; and using the at least one parameter to derive a cell candidate list of candidate operating parameters.

Abstract: A method for a small cell access point to use neighbour cell broadcast information to derive a cell candidate list is described. The method comprises, at the small cell access point: performing a network listen, NWL, scan and identifying a broadcast transmission from a plurality of macro cell base station, BTSs; detecting at least one parameter from each broadcast transmission, wherein the at least one parameter acts as a signature for small cell neighbours to distinguish small cell neighbours from macro cell neighbours; and using the at least one parameter to derive a cell candidate list of candidate operating parameters.

Abstract: A method for at least one service provider to collect wireless communication unit location related data for multiple mobile network operators, MNOs. The method comprises, at a base station supporting multiple MNOs: broadcasting on a first frequency only a first public land mobile network identifier, PLMN-ID, of a first MNO at a first instant in time for detection by first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO; receiving location related information from the first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO in response to the broadcast first PLMN-ID; broadcasting on a second frequency only a second PLMN-ID of a second MNO, at a second instant in time for detection by second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO; and receiving location related information from the second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO in response to the broadcast second PLMN-ID.

Abstract: A presence service can be provided by an access point 101 serving a small cell 100 by rejecting a request for registration from a user equipment 103 after acquiring its IMSI and sending the IMSI to a presence database 105. The user equipment determines if the cell is a presence cell by comparing the cell's location area code (LAC) with LACs stored in a list and looking for a match. It the cell is a presence cell then the user equipment, rather than placing the LAC in a forbidden list, re-tries registration again but only after a pre-set time period of 5-10 minutes has elapsed. This has the advantage that a presence service can be notified of subscribers who linger in a particular area or return to that area at regular intervals.

Abstract: A presence service can be provided by an access point 101 serving a small cell 100 by rejecting a request for registration from a user equipment 103 after acquiring its IMSI and sending the IMSI to a presence database 105. The user equipment determines if the cell is a presence cell by comparing the cell's location area code (LAC) with LACs stored in a list and looking for a match. It the cell is a presence cell then the user equipment, rather than placing the LAC in a forbidden list, re-tries registration again but only after a pre-set time period of 5-10 minutes has elapsed. This has the advantage that a presence service can be notified of subscribers who linger in a particular area or return to that area at regular intervals.