Abstract: Cellular communications apparatus includes a plurality of cellular network switches, each switch adapted to transmit and received signaling messages and media data, and a plurality of gateways. At least one gateway is associated with each of the plurality of network switches. The gateway is coupled to received the signaling messages and media data transmitted by the associated switch and to convey the messages and data together over a common, packet-switched communication link to another of the gateways associated with another one of the network switches.