D2D Communications Considering Different Network Operators

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory storing computer program code;
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:
• determine that a second user equipment is operating in a second cell under control of a second network operator different from a first cell under control of a first network operator to which the apparatus is currently associated;
• determine that a cell other than the first cell is currently more suitable than the first cell for device to device communications;
• and
• handover from the first cell to the determined cell and thereafter send a device to device page to the second user equipment via the determined cell but not via the first cell.

A method comprising:

• determining at a first user equipment that a second user equipment is operating, in a second cell under control of a second network operator different from a first cell under control of a first network operator to which the first user equipment is currently associated;
• determining at the first user equipment that a cell other than the first cell is currently more suitable than the first cell for device to device communications;
• and
• the first user equipment handing over from the first cell to the determined cell and thereafter sending a device to device page to the second user equipment via the determined cell but not via the first cell.