Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method in a CN node (303) for handling a GTP-U tunnel. When the GTP-U tunnel is to be set up, the CN node transmits a first message to a RAN gateway (305). The first message comprises a request for information identifying the RAN gateway (305). The CN node (303) receives a second message from the RAN gateway (305). The second message comprises the requested information identifying the RAN gateway (305). The CN node (303) determines a first endpoint node and a second endpoint node of the GTP-U tunnel. The first endpoint node is the RAN node (301) and the second endpoint node is the RAN gateway (305).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements of optimizing radio resource utilization at a group communication for members of a specific group in a communication network system, comprising communication network nodes (15) communicating over a radio interface on downlink (12) and uplink (13) radio bearers with a plurality of user equipments (18) each of which is associated with one of said members. A shared downlink radio bearer for low priority listening members of said specific group is established. The low priority listening members are assigned to the shared downlink radio bearer.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method in a CN node (303) for handling a GTP-U tunnel. When the GTP-U tunnel is to be set up, the CN node transmits a first message to a RAN gateway (305). The first message comprises a request for information identifying the RAN gateway (305). The CN node (303) receives a second message from the RAN gateway (305). The second message comprises the requested information identifying the RAN gateway (305). The CN node (303) determines a first endpoint node and a second endpoint node of the GTP-U tunnel. The first endpoint node is the RAN node (301) and the second endpoint node is the RAN gateway (305).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements of optimizing radio resource utilization at a group communication for members of a specific group in a communication network system, comprising communication net-work nodes (15) communicating over a radio interface on downlink (12) and uplink (13) radio bearers with a plurality of user equipments (18) each of which is associated with one of said members. A shared downlink radio bearer for low priority listening members of said specific group is established. The low priority listening members are assigned to the shared downlink radio bearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements of optimizing radio resource utilization at a group communication for members of a specific group in a communication network system, comprising communication network nodes (15) communicating over a radio interface on downlink (12) and uplink (13) radio bearers with a plurality of user equipments (18) each of which is associated with one of said members. A shared downlink radio bearer for low priority listening members of said specific group is established. The low priority listening members are assigned to the shared downlink radio bearer.

Abstract: A method in a first user equipment (UE 1) connectable to a second user equipment (UE 2) via a communication network or via a direct radio communication link, of using a direct radio communication link for communication between the UEs is initiated when one of the UEs receives probe signaling information comprising a first probe token via the communication network. The UEs exchange probe signaling messages including a second and/or the first probe token at least partly according to the probe signaling information, such that one of the UEs can compare the probe tokens, generate a probing report and provide the probing report to the communication network, or to the opposite UE for evaluation in case of a successful comparison and such that a direct radio communication link can be used for communication with UE 2 in response to receiving instructions to use the second direct radio communication link from the entity by which the probing report was evaluated.

Abstract: Systems (200) and methods for providing voice communications over a cellular network (204, 212). A call setup message is communicated from a first communication device (FCD) to a second communication device (SCD) on a first communications channel (FCC) in a cellular network (CN) at a first data transfer rate (FDTR). In response to the call setup message, a stimulator packet is communicated to the CN on FCC at FDTR. The stimulator packet includes data of an amount that equals or exceeds a threshold value. In response to the stimulator packet, FCD (202, 214) and CN transition from a first channel mode to a second different channel mode. In the second channel mode, data is transmitted on a second communications channel (SCC) in CN at a second data transfer rate (SDTR) different than FDTR.

Abstract: A method in a first user equipment (UE 1) connectable to a second user equipment (UE 2) via a communication network or via a direct radio communication link, of using a direct radio communication link for communication between the UEs is initiated when one of the UEs receives probe signaling information comprising a first probe token via the communication network. The UEs exchange probe signaling messages including a second and/or the first probe token at least partly according to the probe signaling information, such that one of the UEs can compare the probe tokens, generate a probing report and provide the probing report to the communication network, or to the opposite UE for evaluation in case of a successful comparison and such that a direct radio communication link can be used for communication with UE 2 in response to receiving instructions to use the second direct radio communication link from the entity by which the probing report was evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements of optimizing radio resource utilization at a group communication for members of a specific group in a communication network system, comprising communication network nodes (15) communicating over a radio interface on downlink (12) and uplink (13) radio bearers with a plurality of user equipments (18) each of which is associated with one of said members. A shared downlink radio bearer for low priority listening members of said specific group is established. The low priority listening members are assigned to the shared downlink radio bearer.

Abstract: Systems (200) and methods for providing voice communications over a cellular network (204, 212). A call setup message is communicated from a first communication device (FCD) to a second communication device (SCD) on a first communications channel (FCC) in a cellular network (CN) at a first data transfer rate (FDTR). In response to the call setup message, a stimulator packet is communicated to the CN on FCC at FDTR. The stimulator packet includes data of an amount that equals or exceeds a threshold value. In response to the stimulator packet, FCD (202, 214) and CN transition from a first channel mode to a second different channel mode. In the second channel mode, data is transmitted on a second communications channel (SCC) in CN at a second data transfer rate (SDTR) different than FDTR.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for distributing emergency information to subscribers in a telecommunications system. According to the method, information is distributed via an existing protocol for distributing text messages and/or graphic messages within said system, and the information is distributed at points in time when the system load for distributing messages within said protocol falls below a certain predetermined level. Suitably, one and the same subscriber or group of subscribers is distributed in portions at said points in time, and said information can be distributed only to selected groups of subscribers.