A method for configuring an access node to operate within a time division duplex communications system between the access node and at least one user equipment wherein the time division duplex communications system is a narrowband internet of things time division duplex communications system co-located with a long term evolution communications system network configured to switch a uplink and downlink configuration from frame to frame, the method comprising: generating a channel/signal, the channel/signal comprising information of a uplink and downlink configuration for communication between the access node and the at least one user equipment; mapping the channel/signal to at least one subframe period; and transmitting the channel/signal to the at least one user equipment during the at least one subframe period, such that the channel/signal is received and used by the at least one user equipment to set a uplink and downlink configuration for communication between the access node and the at least one user equipment.