MOBILE COMMUNICATION WITH UNLICENSED-RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS

摘要

A mobile telecommunications network includes a core network portion, a first access network and a second access network. The first access network comprises a plurality of base stations adapted to communicate with mobile stations via a licensed radio interface and with the core network portion. The second access network comprises a plurality of access points each defining a mini-cell and adapted to communicate with mobile stations over an unlicensed-radio interface and an access network controller adapted to communicate with the core network portion and with the plurality of access points. The second access network is further adapted to set up a radio link with a mobile station that is entering a mini-cell and conducting an active call with the first access network and to communicate a cell identifier to the mobile station. The cell identifier identifies at least one mini-cell of the second access network to the core network portion for handover. At least one base station of the first access network is adapted to receive a handover proposal message from the mobile station containing the cell identifier and to communicate the cell identifier to the core network portion in a message indicating that handover is required.