Time-allocation of radio carriers

In a TDMA cellular system, there is provided a mechanism for splitting the allocation of time slots within a TDM frame between adjacent coverage areas. There is provided a method of and apparatus for time-allocation of TDMA channels. It is characterized by: periodically allocating some portion of a carrier (19A-24A) of radio traffic to one coverage area during one time interval and periodically allocating some other portion of that same carrier (19B-24B) to another coverage area during a substantially non-overlapping time interval, all in time synchronism with any proximal reuse of that carrier. The distribution of channels in adjacent coverage areas thereby approaches parity (8+8+5 ≈ 8+8+3+3) and the minimum channel capacity per coverage area is enhanced (8+8 ⇒ 8+8+3+3; 16 ⇒ 22).