Gateway coordinating multiple small cell radio access networks

A gateway through which a plurality of RANs communicate with a packet core network, comprising:

• a plurality of access controller modules to which as least one RAN is assigned, each of the access controller modules being configured to control the respective RAN assigned thereto;
• a core network aggregator module configured as single interface for all communication between the plurality of access controller modules and the packet core network;
• a mobility anchor module at which all data plane traffic between UEs attached to one of the RANs and the packet core network terminate;
• and
• a cluster manager module for assigning RNs to the access controller modules and transferring RN assignments from one access controller module to a different access controller module under specified circumstances.