Network-controlled terminal-to-terminal direct communication in wireless telecommunication network

A network entity other than a terminal configured to operate in a mobile telecommunication network, the network entity comprising:

• a network-end terminal-to-terminal direct communication logic configured to encode direct communication initiation signals including resource allocation information for establishing terminal-to-terminal direct communication between a first terminal communicating through a first (e)NB and a second terminal communicating through a second (e)NB different from the first (e)NB using a radio access technology (RAT) in which the first terminal and the second terminal are configured to communicate when communicating through one or more (e)NB;
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit respective direct communication initiation signals to the first terminal and the second terminal.

A method for network-controlled terminal-to-terminal direct communication in a mobile telecommunication network, the method comprising:

• at a first terminal, receiving from a network entity other than a terminal a direct communication initiation signal including resource allocation information for establishing terminal-to-terminal direct communication between the first terminal, currently communicating through a first (e)NB, and a second terminal, currently communicating through a second (e)NB, using a radio access technology (RAT) in which the first terminal is configured to communicate with the second terminal when communicating through one or more (e)NB;
• and
• establishing terminal-to-terminal direct communication with the second terminal based on the resource allocation information provided by the network entity other than a terminal.

A method for network-controlled terminal-to-terminal direct communication in a mobile telecommunication network, the method comprising:

• at a network entity other than a terminal, transmitting to a first terminal, communicating through a first (e)NB, and to a second terminal, communicating through a second (e)NB, respective direct communication initiation signals including resource allocation information for establishing terminal-to-terminal direct communication between the first terminal and the second terminal using a radio access technology (RAT) in which the first terminal and the second terminal are configured to communicate when communicating through one or more (e)NB.