Abstract: Communications path impairments are mitigated within a wireless communications system (10) comprising fixed, mobile, and portable subscriber units (SUs 1-N), server nodes (S1-SN), and a network operations center (NOC 2). Each SU can be served by at least two different server nodes, each communicating over a different channel. The SUs and/or the server nodes periodically evaluate the quality of the SU communications links and determine the link having optimum quality. The SU or the server node informs the NOC of the determination. Subsequent communications with the SU during the period are conducted using the optimum communications link. In the event of a temporary path impairment, an alternate communications link is promptly established to maintain uninterrupted communications with the SU. In another embodiment, the NOC performs the quality evaluation and/or determines the optimum communications link to the SU. The NOC communicates with the server nodes over separate communications links.