Patent ID: 8620383

Claim:
A method performed by a processor connected to a node of a wireless core network that controls at least one radio access network (RAN) and is operated by at least a first operator, comprising: obtaining at least one key performance indicator (KPI) from one or more cells served by the core network; deciding to make a sharing attempt based on the at least one KPI, wherein the sharing attempt is an attempt to borrow or to supply cellular resources that affect capacity; announcing the sharing attempt to a sharing entity (SE) embodied in a processor connected to the wireless core network; obtaining from the SE the identity of at least one further operator and the terms of a sharing agreement with the at least one further operator; configuring the RAN to support borrowing of resources from the at least one further operator or supplying of resources to the at least one further operator according to the terms of the sharing agreement; broadcasting messages from the RAN to a population of mobile terminals for configuring the population to permit roaming between a supplying network and a borrowing network having equal network priorities while the sharing agreement is in force; and instructing the core network to configure for home tunnel roaming so that the supplying network will provide an air interface for roaming mobile terminals, and via a tunnel, the borrowing network will provide a packet data interface toward external packet networks for the roaming mobile terminals.