An SAE/LTE or 4G cellular telecommunications network is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eNodeBs 5 and a network core 3. A plurality of mobile telecommunications devices 1 are registered with the network and communicate with the network core 3 via the eNodeBs 5. A joining relay 20 and at least one other relay 22 is provided between the eNodeB 5 and the mobile telecommunications device 1 to extend the radio coverage provided by the eNodeB 5. The joining relay 20 analyses the characteristics of the path between the joining relay and the eNodeB 5 and selectively changes the path to optimise the path.