Neighboring cell signal measurement and reporting

A method comprising:

• operating a mobile device in a first wireless communications cell, the first wireless communication cell operating in accordance with a first radio access technology (RAT);
• receiving, at the mobile device, information regarding one or mode neighboring wireless communication cells operating in accordance with a second RAT;
• establishing an active communication channel with a base station in the first wireless communication cell;
• providing capability information of the mobile device to the base station, the capability information including an indication if the mobile device is compatible with the second RAT;
• and
• in the event the mobile device is compatible with the second RAT, receiving, from the base station, instructions regarding whether or not to provide measurement reports for signals received at the mobile device from the one or more neighboring wireless communications cells.

An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

• a controller;
• and
• a wireless transceiver coupled with the controller, wherein the controller and wireless transceiver are collectively configured to:
• operate a first wireless communication cell in accordance with a first radio access technology (RAT);
• transmit, to one or more mobile devices in the first wireless communication cell, information regarding one or more neighboring wireless communication cells, wherein the one or more neighboring wireless communication cells are operated in accordance with a second RAT;
• establish an active communication channel in the first wireless communication cell with a mobile device of the one or more mobile devices;
• receive capability information of the mobile device, the capability information including an indication if the mobile device is compatible with the second RAT;
• and
• in the event the mobile device is compatible with the second RAT, provide instructions to the mobile device regarding whether or not to provide measurement reports for signals received from the one or more neighboring cells.

An apparatus comprising:

• a controller;
• a wireless transceiver coupled with the controller, wherein the controller and the wireless transceiver are collectively configured to:
• operate the apparatus as a mobile device in a first wireless communications cell, the first wireless communication cell operating in accordance with a first radio access technology (RAT);
• receive information regarding one or mode neighboring wireless communication cells operating in accordance with a second RAT;
• establish an active communication channel with a base station in the first wireless communication cell;
• provide capability information of the mobile device to the base station, the capability information including an indication if the mobile device is compatible with the second RAT;
• and
• in the event the mobile device is compatible with the second RAT, receive, from the base station, instructions regarding whether or not to provide measurement reports for signals received at the mobile device from the one or more neighboring wireless communications cells.