Dual connectivity

A network control node operable to configure a further network node in a wireless telecommunications network to use a secondary cell for dual connectivity communication, said network control node comprising:

• logic operable to be made aware of at least one RACH preamble reserved by said secondary cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment;
• identification logic operable to identify user equipment meeting criteria for implementation of dual connectivity communication with said secondary cell;
• and
• communication logic operable to communicate an allocation of said at least one RACH preamble reserved by said secondary cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment to said identified user equipment.

A method of configuring a network node in a wireless telecommunications network to use a cell as a secondary cell for dual connectivity communication, said method comprising:

• determining at least one RACH preamble reserved by said cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment;
• receiving an access request from user equipment using a RACH preamble reserved by said cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment;
• and
• allocating dual connectivity resource to said user equipment using said reserved RACH preamble.

A base station operable to configure a cell in a wireless telecommunications network for use as a secondary cell for dual connectivity communication, said base station comprising:

• logic operable to be made aware of at least one RACH preamble reserved by said cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment;
• reception logic operable to receive an access request from user equipment using a RACH preamble reserved by said cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment;
• and
• allocation logic operable to allocate dual connectivity resource to said user equipment using said reserved RACH preamble.

A method of configuring user equipment in a wireless telecommunications network to use a secondary cell for dual connectivity communication, said method comprising:

• receiving an indication that said user equipment meets criteria for implementation of dual connectivity communication with said secondary cell;
• and
• receiving an allocation of a RACH preamble reserved by said secondary cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment;
• and
• requesting connection to said secondary cell using said allocated RACH preamble.

User equipment operable to configure itself to use a secondary cell in a wireless telecommunications network for dual connectivity communication, said user equipment comprising:

• reception logic operable to receive an indication that said user equipment meets criteria for implementation of dual connectivity communication with said secondary cell;
• and
• preamble allocation reception logic operable to receive an allocation of a RACH preamble reserved by said secondary cell for use by dual connectivity capable user equipment;
• and
• connection logic operable to request connection to said secondary cell using said allocated RACH preamble.