Patent ID: 8582451

Claim:
A method implemented by a node in a cellular radio system for assigning codes for users in the system operating in a High Speed Shared Control Channel (HS-SCCH) less mode of operation, the method comprising: determining the system load generated by a user communicating with the system in a HS-SCCH less operation mode; and assigning a code for the user in response to said determined system load, wherein said assigning comprises determining, for each available code, the combined system load generated by all users currently assigned to that code and further comprises either: assigning the user to an available code if the combined system load for that available code plus the system load determined for the user would not exceed a predetermined utilization threshold value; or responsive to determining that, for each available code, the combined system load for that available code plus the system load determined for the user would exceed the predetermined utilization threshold value, making another code available and assigning that newly available code to the user.