Abstract: A method is provided that sets up a Push-To-Talk (PTT) call. A first group is given a first value of an attribute, such as the priority of the PTT call or the state of the PTT call. A second group is given a second value of the attribute, such that the second value of the attribute is different from the first value of the attribute.

Abstract: A method for providing a mobile device in a packet data network access to a channelized network is disclosed. At a gateway between the two networks, a first channelized network message that is encapsulated in a first IP data packet from the packet data network is received. The first channelized network message is retrieved and reformatted for sending over the channelized network. The gateway then receives a second channelized network message from the channelized network. An identifier of a mobile device associated with the second channelized network message is retrieved and an IP address for the identified mobile device is determined. Then, the gateway encapsulates the second channelized network message into a second IP data packet and sends the encapsulated second channelized network message to the identified mobile device in the packet data network.

Abstract: Methods for reserving call units of bandwidth and for using the reserved call units to manage call requests are disclosed. Reservations are requested by a first host device (e.g., zone controller) for a path of a packet network communication system. The reservations are granted or denied by the network based on the availability of the requested bandwidth. Once a reservation has been obtained, the number of call units of bandwidth associated with the reservation may be reduced or increased by the network based, for example, on link failures, repairs, etc. Call requests are granted or denied by the zone controller based on the path(s) needed for the call, the number of reserved call units associated with the path(s) and the amount of call units required to support the call. If there are sufficient reserved call units to support the call, the call may proceed by sending, from a second host device (e.g., repeater), a message that is distributed over the number of units of bandwidth needed for the call.

Abstract: Methods for reserving call units of bandwidth and for using the reserved call units to manage call requests are disclosed. Reservations are requested by a first host device (e.g., zone controller) for a path of a packet network communication system. The reservations are granted or denied by the network based on the availability of the requested bandwidth. Once a reservation has been obtained, the number of call units of bandwidth associated with the reservation may be reduced or increased by the network based, for example, on link failures, repairs, etc. Call requests are granted or denied by the zone controller based on the path(s) needed for the call, the number of reserved call units associated with the path(s) and the amount of call units required to support the call. If there are sufficient reserved call units to support the call, the call may proceed by sending, from a second host device (e.g., repeater), a message that is distributed over the number of units of bandwidth needed for the call.

Abstract: A method of handling busy calls, performed by a controlling entity (ZC1) in a multiple-zone system, includes the steps of issuing (201) a request to participate in a call to one or more participating zones (101, 103, and 105) and concluding (203) that at least one zone of the participating zones (101, 103, and 105) is unable to grant the call, thereby resulting in a busy status for the call. The controlling entity (ZC1) informs the participating zones (101, 103 and 105) of the busy status. A resource available notification is received (209) from a first zone, and the controlling entity (ZC1) determines (211) if a predetermined number of the participating zones (101, 103, and 105) have indicated ability to grant the call. When at least one zone of the one or more participating zones has not indicated ability to grant the call, the controlling entity (ZC1) issues (213) a still busy notification to the first zone, which still busy notification indicates that the call still has a busy status.