Patent ID: 8305960

Claim:
A method for operation and maintenance of small area access points in a wireless communications network, the access points connecting wireless networks to a core network, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) receiving a message, initiated by an end user of a small area access point, indicating that the end user may be experiencing a problem with the small area access point, the message including access point identity information associated with the small area access point ; (b) investigating, using the received access point identity information, if the small area access point is registered within the network, and, if the small area access point is registered within the network, then performing the following steps: (b1) using the access point identity information to retrieve access point address information from a database; (b2) establishing a connection to the access point using the retrieved access point address information; (b3) after establishing the connection, receiving access point status information from the access point, and (b4) after receiving the access point status information, sending a response message to the end user.