Methods of enabling base station functionality in a user equipment

A computer implemented method of providing ad hoc cellular base station coverage using a first user equipment comprising:

• measuring at the first user equipment in communication with a base station a connection quality between the first user equipment and the base station;
• determining if the connection quality is less than a threshold value;
• measuring at the first user equipment a network characteristic or an operational parameter;
• and
• determining whether to enable an ad hoc cellular base station functionality within the first user equipment based on the measured network characteristic or the measured operational parameter.

A first user equipment configured to provide ad hoc cellular base station coverage comprising:

• transmit hardware;
• receive hardware;
• a power source;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor having computer readable software stored therein that causes the first user equipment to:
• measure at the first user equipment in communication with a base station a connection quality between the first user equipment and the base station;
• determine if the connection quality is less than a threshold value;
• and
• enable an ad hoc cellular base station functionality within the first user equipment based on the determination of whether the connection quality is less than a threshold value.