Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the paging of wireless communication devices (WCDs) are introduced. A radio access network (RAN) begins transmitting a series of paging messages to a WCD, and determines that the WCD is operating on a new carrier frequency. The RAN proactively continues the series of paging messages on the new carrier frequency, without waiting for the prescribed interval between paging messages to expire. Alternatively, the RAN proactively restarts the series of paging messages on the new carrier frequency, without waiting for the prescribed interval between paging messages to expire. Both of these embodiments serve to reduce the delay involved in paging WCDs. The RAN may condition its behavior based on the WCD's profile.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for planning a service-provider network. The service-provider network includes a macro network and a number of low-cost internet base stations (LCIBs), where the macro network includes a number of macro base transceiver stations (BTSs). One or more LCIBs are selected. The selected LCIBs are instructed to operate in an unrestricted mode and then operate in the unrestricted mode for an evaluation period. After the evaluation period ends, an off-loaded-traffic amount is determined for at least a portion of the macro network for the evaluation period. The off-loaded-traffic amount is then associated with the one or more selected LCIBs. Then, the service-provider network is planned based on the off-loaded-traffic amount.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using VoIP-quality metrics to dynamically adjust the EV-DO reverse activity bit (RAB). In one embodiment, an EV-DO access node provides VoIP service to EV-DO access terminals, which comprises (i) providing EV-DO service in a wireless coverage area and (ii) providing transport service over a packet-data network. The access node measures reverse noise rise (RNR) in the wireless coverage area. The access node further measures, over the packet-data network, each VoIP-quality metric in a set of one or more VoIP-quality metrics. The access node then determines whether to set or clear the RAB in the wireless coverage area based at least in part on the measured RNR and at least in part on the one or more measured VoIP-quality metrics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to condition removal of a carrier frequency from a wireless coverage area. The method involves evaluating handoff statistics for the coverage area, and applying results of past carrier frequency removal (preferably from a morphologically similar cluster) to predict a net change in hard handoffs that will result if the carrier frequency is removed. The method then involves using the predicted net change in hard handoffs as a basis to determine whether to remove the carrier frequency. The predicted net change in hard handoffs may be converted to a corresponding predicted net change in call drops, and the carrier frequency may then be removed only if the predicted net change in call drops does not exceed a threshold.

Abstract: A wireless access node provides a wireless communication service to a plurality of wireless communication devices over a first frequency band class, where a set of the wireless communication devices are currently in idle mode. A node control system detects a condition for the first frequency band class, and in response, transitions a subset of the wireless communication devices that are currently in idle mode to a second frequency band class. The wireless access node then provides the wireless communication service to the subset of the wireless communication devices over the second frequency band class.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that support the aggregation of acknowledgement messages and control messages. Advantageously, acknowledgement and negative acknowledgement indications for multiple client nodes are combined into a single aggregated message which is broadcast or multicast to the multiple client nodes. Based on unique identifiers assigned to each client node, client nodes are grouped such that the aggregated acknowledgement messages can be efficiently encoded to conserve both network capacity when they are transmitted, as well as processing capacity when they are parsed by the client nodes. If code division multiple access (CDMA) technology is used, the aggregated acknowledgment message can be transmitted without CDMA spreading to effectively broadcast or multicast it to multiple client nodes. A similar technique can be employed for the efficient broadcast or multicast of aggregated control messages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to condition removal of a carrier frequency from a wireless coverage area. The method involves evaluating handoff statistics for the coverage area, and applying results of past carrier frequency removal (preferably from a morphologically similar cluster) to predict a net change in hard handoffs that will result if the carrier frequency is removed. The method then involves using the predicted net change in hard handoffs as a basis to determine whether to remove the carrier frequency. The predicted net change in hard handoffs may be converted to a corresponding predicted net change in call drops, and the carrier frequency may be removed only if the predicted net change in call drops does not exceed a threshold.