Method for modifying parameter values for long range extension and corresponding node

A base station for operation in a cellular communications network, comprising:

• a wireless interface;
• and
• one or more control and processing circuits associated with the wireless interface and configured to:
• determine whether a wireless device is to operate in a long range extension mode or a normal mode where the long range extension mode is a mode of operation in which the wireless device is configured to maintain communication with the base station of the cellular communications network over an extended coverage range as compared to a coverage range over which the wireless device is configured to maintain communication with the base station of the cellular communications network in the normal mode of operation;
• and
• apply different values for at least one parameter utilized by the wireless device for radio link failure detection depending on whether the wireless device is to operate in the long range extension mode or the normal mode,
• wherein the base station determines that the wireless device is to operate in the long range extension mode in response to a request from the cellular communications network and sends a request causing the wireless device to apply, for each parameter of the at least one parameter, a modified value for the long range extension mode that is different than that which would be applied for the normal mode of operation.

A method of operation of a wireless device in a cellular communications network, comprising:

• determining whether the wireless device is to operate in a long range extension mode or a normal mode where the long range extension mode is a mode of operation in which the wireless device is configured to maintain communication with a base station of the cellular communications network over an extended coverage range as compared to a coverage range over which the wireless device is configured to maintain communication with the base station of the cellular communications network in the normal mode of operation;
• and
• applying different values for at least one parameter utilized by the wireless device for radio link failure detection depending on whether the wireless device is to operate in the long range extension mode or the normal mode, wherein:
• the wireless device determines that it is to operate in the long range extension mode in response to a request from the cellular communications network;
• and
• applying the different values comprises applying, for each parameter of the at least one parameter, a modified value for the long range extension mode that is different than that which would be applied for the normal mode of operation.

A wireless device for operation in a cellular communications network, comprising:

• a wireless interface;
• and
• one or more control and processing circuits associated with the wireless interface and configured to:
• determine whether the wireless device is to operate in a long range extension mode or a normal mode where the long range extension mode is a mode of operation in which the wireless device is configured to maintain communication with a base station of the cellular communications network over an coverage extended range as compared to a coverage range over which the wireless device is configured to maintain communication with the base station of the cellular communications network in the normal mode of operation;
• and
• apply different values for at least one parameter utilized by the wireless device for radio link failure detection depending on whether the wireless device is to operate in the long range extension mode or the normal mode, wherein:
• the wireless device determines that it is to operate in the long range extension mode in response to a request from the cellular communications network;
• and
• being configured to apply the different values comprises being configured to apply, for each parameter of the at least one parameter, a modified value for the long range extension mode that is different than that which would be applied for the normal mode of operation.