Patent ID: 8718655
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: at a first controller, detecting a failure in a core network of a first cellular communication network or on an interface between the core network and a first radio access network of the first cellular communication network, the first radio access network having a plurality of cells and one or more controllers, the core network communicating with the first radio access network via the one or more controllers, the first controller being one of the one or more controllers; barring one or more of the cells of the first radio access network in response to the detection of the failure; and connecting a user equipment (UE) located in one of the barred cells of the first cellular communication network to a cell of a second radio access network of a second cellular communication network, the second radio access network of the second cellular communication network overlapping the first radio access network of the first cellular communication network, wherein the cells of the first radio access network are divided into at least first and second clusters and wherein barring one or more of the cells of the first radio access network comprises barring cells of the first and second clusters at different points in time, wherein barring cells of the first and second clusters at different points in time comprises: barring all cells of the first cluster; waiting for a predetermined time period; and barring all cells of the second cluster.