Network entities, a wireless communication system and a method for collecting data for multiple mobile network operators

A base station supporting presence cell comprising:

• a transceiver comprising a transmitter and a receiver;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the transceiver and configured to:
• time-multiplex an air-interface broadcasting resource;
• allocate a time schedule comprising individual respective time periods for broadcasting at least a first public land mobile network identifier, PLMN-ID of a first mobile network operator, MNO and a second PLMN-ID of a second MNO;
• broadcast on a first frequency only the first PLMN ID at a first instant in time from the transmitter for detection by first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO;
• and
• receive location related information from the first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO in response to the broadcast first PLMN-ID;
• wherein the controller is further configured to:
• broadcast on a second frequency only the second PLMN-ID of a second MNO, at a second instant in time from the transmitter for detection by second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO;
• and
• receive location related information from the second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO in response to the broadcast second PLMN-ID;
• wherein the time schedule is presence-sighting dependent by switching to another PLMN-ID earlier than planned in response to capturing a number of presence sightings.

A presence cell management entity operably coupled to a presence collector configured to obtain data from a base station, and coupled to a plurality of presence servers, the presence cell management entity comprising:

• a controller configured to define a parameter set for different mobile network operators;
• a scheduler, operably coupled to the controller and configured to set a time-multiplexing schedule of available frequencies of an air-interface broadcasting resource for supporting multiple mobile network operators;
• and
• a transceiver configured to send the parameter set and the schedule to at least one base station for use when supporting multiple mobile network operators wherein the schedule comprises individual respective time periods for the base station to broadcast at least a first public land mobile network identifier, PLMN-ID of a first mobile network operator, MNO and a second PLMN-ID of a second MNO and wherein the schedule is presence-sighting dependent to enable the base station to switch to another PLMN-ID earlier than planned in response to capturing a number of presence sightings.

A wireless communication system comprising at least one base station, at least one wireless communication unit and at least one mobile network operator, wherein a controller of the base station supporting multiple MNOs is configured to:

• time-multiplex an air-interface broadcasting resource;
• allocate a time schedule comprising individual respective time periods for broadcasting at least a first public land mobile network identifier, PLMN-ID of a first mobile network operator, MNO and a second PLMN-ID of a second MNO;
• broadcast on a first frequency only the first PLMN ID at a first instant in time for detection by first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO;
• and
• receive location related information from the first wireless communication units associated with the first MNO in response to the broadcast first PLMN-ID;
• wherein the controller is further configured to:
• broadcast on a second frequency only the second PLMN-ID, at a second instant in time for detection by second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO;
• and
• receive location related information from the second wireless communication units associated with the second MNO in response to the broadcast second PLMN-ID;
• wherein the time schedule is presence-sighting dependent by switching to another PLMN-ID earlier than planned in response to capturing a number of presence sightings.