Scheduling beamforming communications based on a number of communication devices in each beam

A network node configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices in a communications network via a plurality of beams, the network node comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• and
• memory coupled to the processing circuitry and having instructions stored therein that are executable by the processing circuitry to cause the network node to perform operations comprising:
• determining a number of communication devices of the plurality of communication devices that are in a beam of the plurality of beams;
• determining a scheduling priority of a communication device of the plurality of communication devices based on the number of communication devices that are in the beam, the communication device being in the beam;
• selecting the beam based on the scheduling priority of the communication device;
• and
• responsive to selecting the beam, scheduling communication with the communication device via the beam.

A network node configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices in a communications network via a plurality of beams, the network node adapted to perform operations comprising:

• determining a number of communication devices of the plurality of communication devices that are in a beam of the plurality of beams;
• determining a scheduling priority of a communication device of the plurality of communication devices based on the number of communication devices that are in the beam, the communication device being in the beam;
• selecting the beam based on the scheduling priority of the communication device;
• and
• responsive to selecting the beam, scheduling communication with the communication device via the beam.

A computer program comprising program code to be executed by processing circuitry of a network node configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices in a communications network via a plurality of beams, whereby execution of the program code causes the network node to perform operations comprising:

• determining a number of communication devices of the plurality of communication devices that are in a beam of the plurality of beams;
• determining a scheduling priority of a communication device of the plurality of communication devices based on the number of communication devices that are in the beam, the communication device being in the beam;
• selecting the beam based on the scheduling priority of the communication device;
• and
• responsive to selecting the beam, scheduling communication with the communication device via the beam.