Method and apparatus for extending control signalling in an lte network

An apparatus for use in a wireless network node to support an extended control signaling, the apparatus comprising

• a processing system comprising a processor and at least one memory configured to store computer program instructions, in which the processing system is arranged to:
• configure a control signaling message over extended control symbols on a layer 1 (L1) downlink control channel, the control signaling message encoded over an increased aggregation of control channel elements (CCEs) in a time domain;
• place the controlling signaling message in a designated set of subframes on the L1 downlink control channel;
• indicate a support for the extended control signaling to one or more UEs;
• indicate to the one or more UEs a position of the designated set of the subframes in a spare field of the Master Information Block (MIB);
• and
• transmit the control signaling message to the one or more UEs over the L1 downlink control channel.