Apparatus, method and computer program product providing fast and reliable uplink synchronization using dedicated resources for user equipment in need of synchronization

A computer-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by at least one data processor of a second base station to perform operations comprising:

• in response to determining that a user equipment has a need to establish uplink synchronization with the second base station, determining whether dedicated uplink resources are available in a random access channel for the user equipment, wherein the need comprises a handover process from a first base station to which the user equipment is assigned to the second base station to which the user equipment is to be assigned after completion of the handover process;
• and
• in response to determining that the dedicated uplink resources are available for the user equipment, assigning the dedicated uplink resources on a non-contention-based channel in the random access channel to the user equipment and communicating a radio resource control handover message, comprising an indication of the dedicated uplink resources, from the second base station to the user equipment via the first base station, wherein the second base station communicates directly with the first base station, wherein the operations of determining, dedicating and communicating are performed without first receiving a request from the user equipment for the uplink resources.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means, responsive to a determination that a user equipment has a need to establish uplink synchronization with the apparatus, for determining whether dedicated uplink resources are available in a random access channel for the user equipment, where the apparatus comprises a second base station, wherein the need comprises a handover process from a first base station to which the user equipment is assigned to the second base station to which the user equipment is to be assigned after completion of the handover process;
• and
• means, responsive to a determination that the dedicated uplink resources are available for the user equipment, for assigning the dedicated uplink resources on a non-contention-based channel in the random access channel to the user equipment, where the means for assigning is further for communicating a radio resource control handover message, comprising an indication of the dedicated uplink resources, from the second base station to the user equipment via the first base station, wherein the second base station communicates directly with the first base station, wherein the means for determining and the means for assigning operate without the second base station first receiving a request from the user equipment for the uplink resources.