Patent ID: 8639254
Filing Date: 2014-01-28
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of processing one or more calls for a mobile station operable through base stations of a macro wireless communication network via a private femto cell at premises of a customer of the macro wireless communication network, wherein: the private femto cell comprises a small scale base transceiver system (BTS) for radio communications with the mobile station in the same manner as a base station of the macro wireless communication network and an interface for packet communication with a switch of the macro wireless communication network via a broadband wireline communication service serving the customer premises, the method comprising steps of: storing a list of mobile stations associated with the private femto cell for use in identifying associated mobile stations; responsive to a request to establish a call session for the mobile station through the private femto cell, permitting use of the private femto cell, whether or not the mobile station is associated with the private femto cell, including establishing the call session through the private femto cell; determining whether or not the established call session is related to an emergency call; based on the stored list of mobile stations, determining whether or not the mobile station is associated with the private femto cell, automatically directing the mobile station, in response to determining that the established call session does not relate to an emergency call and the mobile station is not associated with the private femto cell, to initiate a handoff of the established call session from the private femto cell to a base station of the macro wireless communication network to force the established call session out of private femto cell coverage into macro network coverage.