Apparatus and methods for paging

A wireless device configured for operation in a wireless communication network and comprising:

• communication circuitry configured to communicate with a wireless communication network in first and second frequency bands;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to:
• receive, via the communication circuitry, a paging message transmitted by the wireless communication network in the first frequency band;
• evaluate a received signal strength or quality for the first frequency band at the wireless device, according to configuration information received by the wireless device, the configuration information transmitted by the wireless communication network separately from the paging message;
• and
• depending on the evaluation, responding to the paging message in the first frequency band or in a second frequency band that is linked by the wireless communication network with the first frequency band, for providing the wireless device with at least one of aggregated data rates or diversity for control- and/or user-plane connections between the wireless device and the wireless communication network.

A method of operation by a network node operating in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• associating a first frequency band with a second frequency band, for supporting a wireless device, such that the first and second frequency bands are, with respect to the wireless device, linked by the wireless communication network for providing the wireless device with at least one of aggregated data rates or diversity for control- and/or user-plane connections between the wireless device and the wireless communication network;
• determining configuration information that configures the wireless device to choose between the first and second frequency bands when responding to paging messages targeted to the wireless device and sent in the first frequency band, as a function of the wireless device evaluating signal strength or signal quality for the first frequency band;
• transmitting the configuration information for reception by the wireless device;
• and
• transmitting a paging message in the first frequency band, the paging message targeting the wireless device and transmitted separately from the configuration information.

A network node configured for operation in a wireless communication network, the network node comprising:

• communication circuitry configured for operation in a first frequency band and in a second frequency band;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to:
• associate the first frequency band with the second frequency band, for supporting a wireless device, such that the first and second frequency bands are, with respect to the wireless device, linked by the wireless communication network for providing the wireless device with at least one of aggregated data rates or diversity for control- and/or user-plane connections between the wireless device and the wireless communication network;
• determine configuration information that configures the wireless device to choose between the first and second frequency bands when responding to paging messages targeted to the wireless device and sent in the first frequency band, as a function of the wireless device evaluating signal strength or signal quality for the first frequency band;
• transmit, via the communication circuitry, the configuration information for reception by the wireless device;
• and
• transmit, via the communication circuitry, a paging message in the first frequency band, the paging message targeting the wireless device and transmitted separately from the configuration information.