Multipoint-to-multipoint base station communication

A method for communication among at least first, second and third base stations, which are configured to communicate over the air with mobile user equipment in a cellular communications network, the method comprising:

• embedding user equipment in each of the base stations, comprising at least first and second user equipment embedded in the first base station, third and fourth user equipment embedded in the second base station, and fifth and sixth user equipment embedded in the third base station;
• operating the first and second user equipment to communicate over the air via the cellular communications network with the second and third base stations respectively;
• operating the third and fourth user equipment to communicate over the air via the cellular communications network with the first and third base stations respectively;
• and
• operating the fifth and sixth user equipment to communicate over the air via the cellular communications network with the first and second base stations respectively.

A cellular base station, comprising:

• signal processing and control circuitry, configured to communicate over the air with mobile user equipment in a cellular communications network;
• and
• embedded user equipment, collocated with the signal processing and control circuitry and configured to communicate over the air via the cellular communications network, the embedded user equipment comprising at least:
• first and second user equipment, which are configured to convey communication messages concurrently between the cellular base station and at least first and second other base stations, respectively, in the cellular communications network.