Abstract: A communication system is provided. The system comprises a server arrangement; a plurality of mobile base stations coupled in communication with the server arrangement; and a plurality of mobile stations. A given mobile station from amongst the plurality of mobile stations is capable of communicating with two or more of the plurality of mobile base stations using radio communications. The server arrangement is operable to select, from amongst the two or more of the plurality of mobile base stations, a mobile base station to be used to route data to and/or from the given mobile station.

Abstract: A method of operating a radio station is provided. One or more capability announcement messages are received from one or more other radio stations. The one or more capability announcement messages are analyzed to gather analyzed communication-capability information indicative of the one or more other radio stations that are available for communication and respective communication capabilities of the one or more other radio stations. Subsequently, a station map, maintained locally at the radio station, is updated with the communication-capability information. The station map is then used to select a target radio station for accessing a communication network.