Abstract: A multitude of measurement units is distributed over a cell area in a wireless communications system. The measurements units are instructed to measure properties of uplink signals of radio resources utilized by mobile terminals, whose position is requested. The measurements are in particular embodiments signal strength measures. The measurements are provided to a position determination node, which by comparing the measurements can estimate a position of the mobile terminal. Several opportunities for implementing ordering and reporting routines as well as implementing the communication between the measurement units and the position determination node are provided.

Abstract: In a cellular communications network, additional control signals comprising virtual base station identification data are distributed in the radio system from well defined locations by e.g. transmitters. Since there is a connection between each virtual base station identification data and the location from where it is transmitted, a mobile terminal can use the information for improving its position estimation according to conventional procedures. No modifications of the mobile terminals are therefore necessary. The mobile terminal is not able to connect to the communications system using the virtual base station identification data, since this data only is intended for position estimating purposes. In such a way, the devices for providing the additional information necessary for the improved position estimation can be made very simple and inexpensive.

Abstract: A virtual network is created by providing antennas controlled by the same radio access station with control signals of virtual radio access stations. Sets of physical channels comprising the control signals are dedicated to the respective antennas, while sets of physical channels comprising only traffic channels constitute common resources for more than one antenna. Preferably, the present invention is applied in antenna systems utilizing common antenna cables, whereby the radio access station is provided as a distributed means having a central broadcast control signal injector and control signal selectors at the antennas.

Abstract: A virtual network is created by providing antennas controlled by the same base station with control signals of different virtual base stations. A virtual network controller comprised in the base station is arranged for performing handovers between sets of physical channels of the different virtual base stations. The handover is preferably performed transparently towards the main communication network. This transparency is preferably provided by associating physical channels of virtual base stations with communication channels of the main communications network. Preferably, position estimations of a mobile terminal connected to the base station are performed by the virtual network controller, whereby such estimations can be kept secret within the virtual network.