Methods for base-station-to-base-station connection management

A method of operation of a base-station-to-base-station gateway in a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

• determining that a first base station is unavailable;
• and
• notifying one or more second base stations with which the first base station conducts base-station-to-base-station communication that the first base station is unavailable by sending a Stream Control Transmission Protocol message containing information indicating that the first base station is unavailable.

A method of operation of a base station in a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

• receiving notification that a second base station is unavailable, the second base station being a second base station with which the base station conducts base-station-to-base-station communication by receiving a Stream Control Transmission Protocol message containing information indicating that the second base station is unavailable;
• and
• in response to receiving the notification, ceasing communication attempts with the second base station.