An integrated WLAN/WWAN Radio Access Technology (RAT) architecture is described in which signaling used to control the integration of the WLAN/WWAN architecture is performed over the Radio Resource Control (RRC) plane. The integrated architecture may allow for User Equipment (UE) assistance in cell selection and traffic steering. In particular, UE-assisted RRC signaling is described for managing inter-RAT session transfers and secondary cell (SCell) selection.

Systems and methods are presented for effectively utilizing a Backhaul link shared by two or more wireless system Operators, such that data rates from multiple Core Network data sources to the shared Backhaul link, and data rates from multiple sets of Subscriber Stations to the shared Backhaul link, are controlled so that a combined downlink rate substantially does not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate, and a combined uplink rate substantially does not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate, thereby preventing an overloading of the shared Backhaul link. Further, communication rates of different data sets within the downstream and upstream, respectively, are dynamically altered to provide best overall service within the downstream and upstream, respectively, while not overloading the shared Backhaul link.

The present invention relates to a method for offloading traffic by means of wireless LAN in a mobile communications system and apparatus therefor, and more particularly to a method for a terminal to offload traffic at a bearer level, and to a base station communicating with the terminal. The method for a terminal to offload traffic according to the present invention includes the steps of: while performing a data communication with a base station through a bearer of a first communications network, receiving from the base station an offloading command for offloading a part of traffic to a second communications network; transmitting a report of the offloading to the base station in response to the offloading command; and performing a data communication of the partial traffic with an accessible AP through a bearer of the second communications network without releasing the bearer of the first communications network.

Methods and systems for sharing aerial assets amongst terrestrial network operators. Embodiments enable sharing of aerial assets amongst the terrestrial network operators and facilitate on-demand deployment of the aerial cells to improve coverage and capacity of the terrestrial network operators. Embodiments allow sharing of aerial assets such as aerial cell mount, backhaul, an aerial RAN, and aerial spectrum using sharing architectures. Embodiments provide a managing entity for forecasting data traffic pertaining to the terrestrial network operators and optimizing the deployment of the aerial cells, based on the forecasted data traffic, for enabling strategic deployment of the aerial cells. Embodiments ensure that the resources of the aerial cells are effectively utilized and the number of aerial cells required for enhancing the capacity of the terrestrial network operators is minimized.

A method for deploying and sharing aerial cells in a massive machine type communication (mMTC) network includes forecasting data traffic across a plurality of mMTC network operators for each of a plurality of geographical areas. The method includes generating a forecasted plan based on the forecasted data traffic, and a hovering time of each of a plurality of aerial cells. The method includes deploying and sharing at least one aerial cell from the plurality of aerial cells between the plurality of mMTC network operators to provide coverage to at least one mMTC node in at least one geographical area of the plurality of geographical areas, based on the forecasted plan.

Method in a transport network node, for distributing an available bandwidth between different access technologies utilizing the transport network node, the transport network node being associated with at least one network node. The method comprises obtaining an allocation scheme reflecting a desired distribution of bandwidth between the different access technologies, and receiving information from the at least one network node, regarding an access technology of the at least one network node. Furthermore, the method comprises scheduling transport of packet data, based on the received information regarding the access technology and the obtained allocation scheme. By implementing functionality in transport network nodes for scheduling transport of packet data based on the access technology, and number of active users, and/or number of active sessions, etc., the transport network node is enabled to allocate an appropriate amount of transport capacity fair between users of different access technologies.

Techniques for providing offload services via a neutral host network (NHN) are described here. An example method may include establishing an authorization relationship, at the NHN, with a mobile network. In addition, the example method may include sending a notification indicating the authorization relationship of the NHN with the mobile network to one or more user equipments (UEs) within radio coverage of the NHN, wherein the authorization relationship specifies that the NHN is authorized by the mobile network to provide offload services for at least one UE of the one or more UEs that is associated with the mobile network.

A communication method comprises the following steps: receiving an IFOM triggering message by a packet data network gateway (P-GW); selecting one or more evolved packet system (EPS) bearers by the P-GW based on the IFOM triggering message, and making a bearer division if IP flows associated with a user equipment (UE) are not allowed to a first access network; sending a first request to the first access network in response to the bearer division; updating a mapping table if the first request is acknowledged by the first access network; and initiating a third generation partnership project (3GPP) bearer update procedure to move the one or more EPS bearers selected by the P-GW to the first access network.

A system and method for managing interference between different enterprises operating over the same spectrum. The system includes a central unit of a first enterprise associated with a first cell site; a central unit of a second enterprise associated with a second cell site; and an interface for connecting the central unit of the first enterprise to the central unit of the second enterprise and configured to transmit load information; wherein a central unit of either enterprise is configured to share load information without requiring a standard form between each enterprise via the interface to minimize interference between each enterprise when both enterprises are operating in the same spectrum and an overlapping coverage region between each cell site.

A transmit chain (TX chain) of a user equipment (UE) transmits an uplink signal to a first wireless network associated with a first base station or a second wireless network associated with a second base station. The uplink signal includes information indicative of a first receive chain (RX chain) of the UE being synchronized to the first base station to receive first traffic from the first wireless network, and a second RX chain of the UE being synchronized to the second base station to receive second traffic from the second wireless network. The UE transmits uplink traffic for the first wireless network and the second wireless network to the second base station via the TX chain of the UE.