Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which mobile devices can be handed from one access point to another while maintaining continuous communication with a network and without changing the device's IP address. In an embodiment, when a device is leaving the air interface range of its home access point, it establishes a connection with an intermediary access point. In an embodiment, the communications from the network are directed to the original access point using the original IP address for the device, and forwarded to the device via the intermediary access point. Communications from the device are routed through the intermediary access point and then either directly to the network, or else through the home access point to the network. The IP address handoff is repeated between intermediary access points until the device either returns to the home access point or ceases communication with the network.

Abstract: By arranging base stations in a wireless protocol with an ability to handle air interface transmissions on a class of service basis, as opposed to a specific station identification basis, mobility across base stations is achieved. In one embodiment, each station is assigned a class of service and each station can connect to any base station that recognizes that station's class of service. Class of service could, for example, be based on throughput required, fees paid by the station, etc. In this manner, the base station need only know the class of service of a station and then can extend service to that station or not based on factors controlled from each base station. In one embodiment, the class of service information provided with the 802.16f management model is used to verify the class of service of a station and to update base stations.