Patent ID: 8145206

Claim:
A method for controlling uplink transmissions from a user device to an access point in a wireless telecommunications system, the access point defining a communications cell, the method comprising: monitoring interference in an uplink channel at an access point, performing interference control actions at the access point when monitored interference exceeds a first predetermined level, wherein the interference control actions performed at the access point include preventing use of a channel, minimising use of a channel, allocating a predetermined minimum bit rate for a channel, and/or scheduling a channel with a predetermined probability, monitoring occurrences of the interference control actions at the access point, and in response to determining that a number of occurrences of the interference control actions performed at the access point exceeds a predetermined level, performing interference control actions with reference to a plurality of cells at a central controller of the telecommunications system, which central controller is operable to control a plurality of access points, wherein the interference control actions performed at the central controller include suspension of a channel or suspension of a selected number of channels.