Patent ID: 8965379
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a radio access network (RAN), a call establishment request seeking to establish a call involving a wireless communication device (WCD), wherein the RAN receives the call establishment request on a first frequency; in response to receiving the call establishment request, selecting a plurality of wireless coverage areas, each defined by a respective base transceiver station (BTS) using the first frequency; determining that utilization of a first wireless coverage area of the selected wireless coverage areas meets a utilization threshold, wherein the first wireless coverage area is defined by a first BTS; in response to determining that utilization of the first wireless coverage area meets the utilization threshold, determining whether a strength at which the WCD receives signals from the first wireless coverage area exceeds the strengths at which the WCD receives signals from other wireless coverage areas in the plurality of wireless coverage areas defined by other BTSs by at least a predetermined signal strength differential value; if the strength at which the WCD receives signals from the first wireless coverage area exceeds the strengths at which the WCD receives signals from the other wireless coverage areas by at least the signal strength differential value, assigning, to the WCD, a first traffic channel from a second wireless coverage area, defined using a second frequency, for supporting the call, wherein the second wireless coverage area is defined by the first BTS; and if the strength at which the WCD receives signals from the first wireless coverage area does not exceed the strengths at which the WCD receives signals from the other wireless coverage areas by at least the signal strength differential value, assigning, to the WCD, a second traffic channel for supporting the call from a third wireless coverage area defined by a second BTS using the first frequency.