Network elements, wireless communication system and methods therefor

A network element which supports communications in a first cell (B) between a wireless communication unit and a core network and arranged to receive and accept a request for handover of a wireless communication unit from a second, neighbouring cell (C) into the first cell (B), the network element comprising:

• a store containing a neighbour cell list, said list including identities of “problem” neighbour cells, and
• a signal processor coupled to the store and configured to determine from inspection of the neighbour cell list in the store, on receipt of a request for a handover of a wireless communication unit into the first cell from a second cell, whether any Inter-Frequency or Inter-Radio Access Technology neighbour cells exist in the neighbour cell list and whether said second cell is a problem neighbour cell, and, in response to determining that an Inter-Frequency or Inter-Radio Access Technology neighbour cell exists in the neighbour cell list and that said second cell is a problem neighbour cell, to generate a measurement set up message which includes a command to enter a compressed mode of operation for transmitting to the wireless communication unit, wherein a problem neighbour cell is classified as a cell for which a wireless communication unit, after being handed over therefrom into the first cell, requires handing over from the first cell to another cell before the expiry of a predetermined time period.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to

• provide a network element that supports communications in a first cell (B) between a wireless communication unit and a core network;
• configure a neighbour cell list, said list including identities of “problem” neighbour cells, receiving a request for handover of a wireless communication unit from a second, neighbouring cell (C) into the first cell (B);
• determine whether any Inter-Frequency or Inter-Radio Access Technology neighbour cells exist in the neighbour cell list and, in response to determining that an Inter-Frequency or Inter-Radio Access Technology neighbour cells exists in the neighbour cell list, inspect the neighbour cell list to determine whether the second cell is a problem neighbour cell, and, in response to determining that the second cell is identified as a problem cell, accepting the wireless communication unit into the first cell;
• and
• send a measurement set up message to the wireless communication unit, said set up message including a command to enter a compressed mode of operation, wherein a problem neighbour cell is classified as a cell for which a wireless communication unit, after being handed over therefrom into the first cell, requires handing over from the first cell to another cell before expiry of a predetermined time period.