Method and system for providing tiered priority access to communication network resources

An emergency cellular communication system, comprising:

• a plurality of base stations which include a plurality of communication channels, each of the plurality of communication channels being capable of establishing voice and data telecommunications links with mobile devices;
• a central processor coupled to the plurality of base stations;
• a central processor memory coupled to the central processor, wherein the central processor memory has stored therein software instructions configured to cause the central processor to perform operations comprising:
• monitoring a wireless network call volume at each of the plurality of base stations;
• determining whether the wireless network call volume at any of the plurality of base stations exceeds a first pre-determined threshold;
• partitioning the communication channels for emergency usage if use by mobile devices of emergency personnel at the one or more of the plurality of base stations where wireless network call volume exceeds the first pre-determined threshold;
• reserving at least a portion of the partitioned communication channels for emergency usage use by the mobile devices of authorized emergency personnel;
• monitoring incoming and outgoing calls at the one or more of the plurality of base stations where wireless network call volume exceeds the first pre-determined threshold to determine whether a call is made from or to an authorized emergency personnel mobile device;
• allowing general access to the partitioned and reserved communication channels so long as no call is made from or to an authorized emergency personnel mobile device;
• and
• restricting access to the partitioned and reserved communication channels to authorized emergency personnel mobile devices if the in response to determining that a call is made from or to an authorized emergency personnel mobile device.

A non-transitory processor-readable tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor in a cellular communication network to perform operations comprising:

• monitoring a wireless network call volume at a base station;
• determining whether the wireless network call volume at the base station exceeds a first pre-determined threshold;
• partitioning communication channels for emergency usage if use by mobile devices of emergency personnel when the wireless network call volume at the base station exceeds the first pre-determined threshold;
• reserving at least a portion of the partitioned communication channels for emergency usage use by mobile devices of authorized emergency personnel;
• monitoring incoming and outgoing calls at the base station to determine whether a call is made from or to an authorized emergency personnel mobile device;
• allowing general access to the partitioned and reserved communication channels so long as no call is made from or to an authorized emergency personnel mobile device;
• and
• restricting access to the partitioned and reserved communication channels to authorized emergency personnel mobile devices if the in response to determining that a call is made from or to an authorized emergency personnel mobile device.