Patent ID: 7711393

Claim:
A method for reconfiguring a cellular communications network, wherein the network architecture includes a first base transceiver station in communication with a mobile switching office via a first communications link, a second base transceiver station in communication with the mobile switching office via a second communications link, a first optical switch in communication with the first base transceiver station via a third communications link, a second optical switch in communication with the second base transceiver station via a fourth communications link, and a fiber optic communications link coupling the first optical switch with the second optical switch, comprising the steps of: detecting an inability for the first base transceiver station to communicate with the mobile switching office by the first optical switch; and providing a communication from the mobile switching office to the first optical switch via the second communications link between the mobile switching office and the second base transceiver station, via the fourth communications link between the second base transceiver station and the second optical switch, and via the fiber optic communications link coupling the second optical switch with the first optical switch.