A network element for use in a mobile communications system and a method of using a network element for communicating data to and/or from mobile communications devices in a mobile communications system. The network element is operable to provide a wireless access interface for communicating data to and/or from the mobile communications devices, the wireless access interface providing on a downlink a host carrier, the host carrier providing a plurality of resource elements across a first frequency range; transmit data for a first group of mobile communications devices, wherein the data is distributed within the plurality of resource elements across the first frequency range; provide a virtual carrier via the wireless access interface, the virtual carrier providing one or more resource elements within a second frequency range which is within and smaller than the first frequency range; and transmit data for a second group of mobile communications devices via the virtual carrier.