Patent ID: 8364191
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of managing a group call involving a plurality of mobile communications devices, said plurality of mobile communications devices being registered with a telecommunications network via a serving node, the serving node being operable to transceive data to and from a plurality of radio access nodes so as to communicate with said registered mobile communications devices, in which at least a first of said radio access nodes has established a data communications channel with a mobile communications device of the plurality for conducting the group call, the method comprising: identifying a radio access node adjacent to the first radio access node; the serving node receiving a service response message from a network node, said service response message comprising data identifying a Group Call Area; the serving node defining the Group Call Area based upon the first radio access node and the adjacent radio access node; the serving node transmitting signalling instruction messages to said radio access nodes defined by the Group Call Area, said signalling instruction messages comprising instructions to establish a signalling channel; establishing the signalling channel, prior to establishing a traffic channel, within a cell corresponding to said adjacent radio access node, said signalling channel having an identifier corresponding to the Group Call Area; broadcasting a notification message for the group call within the Group Call Area using at least said signalling channel; receiving a notification response message having the identifier corresponding to the Group Call Area from a mobile communication device; and establishing the traffic channel for use in the group call within the cell corresponding to said adjacent radio access node.