Alternative mode monitoring by a transceiver which switches to half rate traffic channels when it monitors other communication modes

摘要

The present invention provides a means for alternative mode monitoring within the framework of the existing GSM standard. The invention provides for switching communication from full-rate communication to half-rate communication during an active call. By doing so, a time slot in each frame is shared with another subscriber. In this way alternative frames are allocated to each subscriber. The invention utilises the fact that alternate frames are not used by a subscriber to switch to monitoring other modes during this interval. Consequently the transceiver/terminal switches to half rate traffic channels when it monitors other communication modes.