Operation of a femtocell base station is restricted if a prohibited environment-related parameter is obtained

• Main Authors: YOAV VOLLOCH, RAFY CARMON
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 24.11.2010
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

A method of detecting an unauthorized operation of a femtocell base station comprises providing a femtocell base station in operative association with at least one cellular communication network in a particular physical environment 210. Parameters associated with the physical environment, including parameters of other networks, are obtained 220 and compared to predefined corresponding parameters to determine if the femtocell base station's operation is authorized 230. The obtained environment-related parameters may comprise the number of cellular communication devices camping or attempting to camp on the femtocell base station, wherein a corresponding prohibited environment-related parameter is a predefined number of cellular communications devices of a particular type. Optionally an alert responsive to the detecting of unauthorized operation of the femtocell base station is provided 250. Additionally updates in regard to the predefined list of parameters indicative of operation of the femtocell cellular communication femtocell base station in breach of regulatory rules associated with the particular cellular communication network may be provided 240.