Patent ID: 7917151
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method, carried out by a base station of a mobile communication network, the base station being connected to a core network and being operable in a normal mode and in a direct mode, comprising: detecting a request originating from a first user equipment to communicate with a second user equipment, the first user equipment being in direct reach of the base station, establishing a communication link between the first user equipment and the base station and between the base station and the second user equipment, checking if the second user equipment is also within direct reach of the base station, operating the communication link in direct mode without accessing the core network and routing a call originating from a first user equipment directly from the base station to the second user equipment if yes; and operating the communication link in normal mode, which is routing a call originating from the first user equipment over the base station to the core network and back over the base station to the second user equipment, otherwise.