IN2014MN02569A - - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to femtocells where low power base stations advertise restricted access such to allow closed access only to mobile devices that are members of a corresponding group (e.g. closed subscriber group (CSG)) or to allow hybrid access such that member devices receive improved access over non member devices. The low power base stations in this regard can broadcast a CSG identity for determining association to the low power base station. However the CSG identifier might be advertised even though the base station does not operate in the associated closed or hybrid access mode. This might be because the CSG identifier is uses for purposes other than access control e.g. to identify as a cluster of femto nodes that self configure by adjusting transmit power to provide continuous coverage; self heal in case of femto node failure within the cluster (e.g. by increasing transmit power of the other femto nodes in the cluster); select cell selection/reselection thresholds among the cluster to allow a desired load or network propagation; and/or the like. Hence CSG membership verification is not needed and the application proposes different alternatives of how to avoid such a verification. According to one alternative the femto node is pre configured. According to another alternative a non CSG UE indicates that it is capable of performing CSG functions even though it may not be so capable. According to a third alternative even though the HNB 304 determines that the UE 302 is not CSG capable e.g. while checking UE release/capabilities it specifies CSG capability for UE in the UE registration request. According to a fourth alternative the femto node appears to UEs as a restricted or hybrid access femto node but operates to the core network or femto gateway as an open access mode femto node.