Patent ID: 8155684
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling use of particular uplink random access channels (RACHs) by wireless communication devices (WCDs) operating in a cell defined by a base station, the method comprising: defining, at a command station, a plurality of subscriber classes, wherein each subscriber class is dynamically defined based on a plurality of subscriber class dimensions; designating, at the command station, at least one uplink RACH for each subscriber class, wherein a WCD belonging to a particular subscriber class is permitted to use uplink RACHs designated for that particular subscriber class; generating subscriber class mapping information, at the command station, that maps each particular subscriber class to one or more of the uplink RACHs designated for use by that particular subscriber class; broadcasting, from the base station, the subscriber class mapping information to a first WCD in the cell; determining, at the first WCD based on the subscriber class mapping information, which of the at least one uplink RACH the first WCD is permitted to use to communicate with the base station; and transmitting request information from the first WCD to the base station using the at least one uplink RACH that the first WCD is permitted to use to communicate with the base station.