Patent ID: 8184578

Claim:
A method for dynamic inter-cell channel sharing for a first access point in a radio access network, the first access point being associated with a first cell of a number of cells within the radio access network, the first access point being adapted to connect a first user equipment being situated in the first cell to a network infrastructure, the method comprising the steps of: receiving from the first user equipment, a report indicating whether a specific channel is being used in a second cell adjacent to the first cell, the report being based on a first information sent from a second access point associated with the second adjacent cell, the first information being detected by the first user equipment and indicating whether a specific channel is used or not in the second adjacent cell; selecting the specific channel for use in the first cell only when the information indicates the specific channel is not being used in the second cell; when using the specific channel in the first cell, sending a second information indicating that the specific channel is being used in the first cell; continuing to receive and evaluate first information reports from the first user equipment during a detection window in order to detect whether the second access point allocates the same specific channel; upon receiving a report indicating that the specific channel is used in the second cell during the detection window, stop sending the second information; and continuing to receive and evaluate reports from the first user equipment during a backoff window defined by drawing a random number until refraining from any further attempt to allocate the selected specific channel.