METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SHARED MULTIOPERATOR LTE SERVICE IN UNLICENSED FREQUENCY BANDS

摘要

Methods and apparatuses are described for providing a shared eNodeB that is configured to provide shared network access to UEs associated with disparate cellular service providers, or operators, over one or more unlicensed frequency bands in a multi-operator, heterogeneous, and dual-connectivity-compatible system. In an example methodology, a shared eNodeB may establish a secondary communication link with a first user equipment associated with a first operators primary cell, then may establish another secondary communication link with a second UE associated with a second operators primary cell, wherein the shared eNodeB is configured to communicate with both a first core network associated with the first operator and a second core network associated with the second operator, and may communicate wirelessly over one or more unlicensed frequency bands with both the first UE via the first communication link and the second UE via the second communication link.