Inserting virtual carrier in conventional OFDM host carrier in communications system

A mobile terminal, comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a signal on a downlink;
• and
• processing circuitry configured to detect a reduced bandwidth carrier on the downlink, wherein
• the receiver is configured to receive downlink communications via the reduced bandwidth carrier,
• the reduced bandwidth carrier is configured to provide a first set of resource elements within first frequency resources that are within and smaller than second frequency resources that are used by a host carrier to provide a second set of resource elements,
• the reduced bandwidth carrier is provided in the first frequency resources in a first sub-frame,
• the reduced bandwidth carrier is provided in third frequency resources in a second sub-frame after the first sub-frame, and
• the third frequency resources are within and smaller than the first frequency resources.

A method performed by a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

• receiving a signal on a downlink;
• detecting a reduced bandwidth carrier on the downlink;
• and
• receiving downlink communications via the reduced bandwidth carrier,
• the reduced bandwidth carrier is configured to provide a first set of resource elements within first frequency resources that are within and smaller than second frequency resources that are used by a host carrier to provide a second set of resource elements,
• the reduced bandwidth carrier is provided in the first frequency resources in a first sub-frame,
• the reduced bandwidth carrier is provided in third frequency resources in a second sub-frame after the first sub-frame, and
• the third frequency resources are within and smaller than the first frequency resources.