COMMUNICATING CELL RESTRICTION STATUS INFORMATION BETWEEN RADIO ACCESS NETWORK NODES

摘要

A cellular radio communications network includes a core network coupled to a radio access network (RAN) that has multiple RAN nodes for communicatin with mobile radio terminals. Each of the multiple RAN nodes serves one or more cells. At least one cell associated with a first RAN node is in a restricted or reserved access state in which access to the one cell is restricted for at least some mobile radio terminals. The first RAN node sends a message to a second RAN node to inform the second RAN node of that restricted access cell. The fact that the restricted status of the one cell has changed is detected. A global message tha is not related to a specific mobile terminal is generated that includes information that the restricted status of the one cell has changed. The first RAN node sends the global message to the second RAN node to inform the second RAN node of the change in the restricted status of the one cell.