Dynamic sharing of wireless resources among different communication networks

A method for a plurality of communication networks that include a plurality of network nodes which provide wireless services to at least one remote unit via an air interface, to dynamically share wireless resources comprising:

• using, by a first network node of the plurality of network nodes, at least a portion of a wireless resource to provide network service to at least one remote unit;
• wirelessly receiving, by the first network node from a second network node of the plurality of network nodes, a request for the first network node to relinquish use of at least a portion of the wireless resource, wherein the request is received at the first network node based on detecting an overload condition at the second network node, wherein the second network node uses at least a portion of the relinquished wireless resource to provide network service to at least one remote unit, and wherein the second network node is under control of a different network operator than the first network node;
• in response to receiving the request, setting a timer;
• in response to expiration of the timer, relinquishing use of at least a portion of the wireless resource.

An apparatus for providing wireless services to at least one remote unit via an air interface comprising:

• a transceiver;
• a processing unit, communicatively coupled to the transceiver, configured to use, via the transceiver, at least a portion of a wireless resource to provide network service to at least one remote unit and configured to wirelessly receive, from a network node via the transceiver, a request for the apparatus to relinquish use of at least a portion of the wireless resource, wherein the request for the apparatus is received based on detecting an overload condition at the network node, wherein the network node uses at least a portion of the relinquished wireless resource to provide network service to at least one remote unit, and wherein the network node is under control of a different network operator than the apparatus;
• a controller that is configured to, in response to receipt of the request, set a timer;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to, in response to expiration of the timer, relinquish use of at least a portion of the wireless resource.