Methods and apparatus for implementing wireless sidelink communications

A communications system comprising:

• a geo-fencing proximity analyzer including:
• memory;
• and
• a first processor that controls the geo-fencing proximity analyzer to perform the following operations:
• receiving, by the geo-fencing proximity analyzer, from a first wireless network, session request information for a session to be established between a first user equipment device and a second user equipment device, said first user equipment device and the second user equipment device both being located outside the coverage area of the second wireless network;
• and
• determining, by the geo-fencing proximity analyzer, whether or not a sidelink communications session is to be established between the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device based on:
• (i) the location of the first user equipment device, and (ii) the location of the second user equipment device.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including a first set of computer executable instructions which when executed by a processor of a geo-fencing proximity analyzer cause the geo-fencing proximity analyzer of a second wireless network to perform the steps of:

• receiving, by the geo-fencing proximity analyzer, from a first wireless network, session request information for a session to be established between a first user equipment device and a second user equipment device, said first user equipment device and the second user equipment device both being located outside the coverage area of the second wireless network;
• and
• determining, by the geo-fencing proximity analyzer, whether or not a sidelink communications session is to be established between the first user equipment device and the second user equipment device based on:
• (i) the location of the first user equipment device, and (ii) the location of the second user equipment device.