Abstract: A communication system, in particular a fixed wireless access communication system, including a transmission link, such as a broadcast downlink or a multiple access uplink, having a number of channels and apparatus for transmitting circuit switched and packet switched traffic over said transmission link. The system additionally includes a controller device for periodically pre-allocating channels to circuit switched traffic for a set time period dependent on one or more system parameters existing in a previous set time period. The system parameter may be the number of circuit switched connections operating in a previous set time period. The controller device may comprise a monitoring unit for determining a first number equal to the number of operating circuit switched connections in a previous set time period, a summing unit for forming a sum of the first number and an estimated margin and apparatus for allocating the summed number of channels to circuit switched connections for the next set time period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing capacity in a fixed wireless access communications network. The invention also relates to a computer system for implementing the method, a computer program for controlling the computer system and a communications network deployed using the method. The invention, provides a method of increasing capacity in a fixed wireless access network comprising the step of installing an additional base station within an existing cellular deployment plan. The invention alms to minimise the loss of service to existing customers during a capacity upgrade for a fixed wireless access system. The concept of reducing service outage is typically regarded by operators as a higher priority than minimising the time taken or the amount of resource used in order to provide seamless service transition when a subscriber's antenna is re-oriented. The present invention thereby enables a minimum of visits by personnel in connection with this process, for RSS repointing.