Method and apparatus for controlling the activation of an amplifier arrangement in a repeater device disposed in a radio communication system

A repeater device for use in a radio communication system, said repeater device comprising:

• a detector configured to detect radio signaling to or from a user terminal that is situated in a vicinity of said repeater device, wherein said repeater device is configured to amplify and forward said radio signaling without decoding said radio signaling;
• an amplifier arrangement configured to amplify at least one of uplink and downlink traffic;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• activate said amplifier arrangement, wherein said controller is connected to said detector and arranged for activating said amplifier arrangement in response to said detector detecting said radio signaling;
• deactivate said amplifier arrangement when traffic to said user terminal ends dependent on a function of a time since the last detected radio signaling to or from said user terminal;
• and
• register a signaling history to or from said user terminal, and wherein said controller is correspondingly configured to deactivate said amplifier arrangement in dependence on said signaling history;
• and
• whereby said amplifier arrangement is arranged to amplify at least one of uplink traffic from said user terminal and downlink traffic to said user terminal.