Abstract: Intra-enterprise wireless handset (WH) calls between WHs operating in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are established directly between the WHs via a call connection that is maintained within the LAN without being routed through the cellular network (CN). This eliminates the cost of placing and maintaining calls through the CN for intra-enterprise calls, and also enables use of capabilities that are available in the enterprise telecomm equipment. Upon detection of a trigger condition, if and when it is more likely that a complete vertical handover (VHO) may be needed, the call connection between the WHs in the LAN is replaced by one that is routed through the CN. Thereafter, a VHO may occur (if at all) upon detection of a radio handover condition.

Abstract: For initially establishing a voice call, a first connection leg for the voice call is established between a mobile device operating in a wireless network and a conference room of a conferencing gateway. A second connection leg is established via the conferencing gateway between a processor and a communication device connected in a telephone network. Subsequently, the processor sends a message to the conferencing gateway for transferring the second connection leg from between the processor and the communication device to the conference room and the communication device, for initially establishing the voice call. The conference gateway is configured to combine media streams of connection legs of the voice call.

Abstract: A mobile device establishes and maintains a voice call via a wireless local area network (WLAN). During voice call handover, the mobile device receives, from the cellular network, voice data of the voice call which is routed via a network support node. The network support node is connected to the WLAN and has a wireless link with a base station of the cellular network, for sending the voice data to the mobile device. The mobile device also sends, to the cellular network, voice data of the voice call which is communicated to the network support node over the wireless link with the base station.

Abstract: For initially establishing a voice call, a first connection leg for the voice call is established between a mobile device operating in a wireless network and a conference room of a conferencing gateway. A second connection leg is established via the conferencing gateway between a processor and a communication device connected in a telephone network. Subsequently, the processor sends a message to the conferencing gateway for transferring the second connection leg from between the processor and the communication device to the conference room and the communication device, for initially establishing the voice call. The conference gateway is configured to combine media streams of connection legs of the voice call.

Abstract: A network support node which includes a local area network (LAN) interface and a cellular RF interface is provided. The LAN interface is configured to connect the network support node as a LAN node in a LAN. The cellular RF interface is configured to provide wireless communications over a wireless communication link with a base station of a cellular network, such that the network support node operates as a client end station with the base station. The network support node receives, from the LAN via the LAN interface, data of a communication session between a mobile communication device and another communication device. The network support node communicates with the mobile communication device, via the cellular RF interface over the wireless communication link with the base station, the data of the communication session.

Abstract: Techniques for use in a network processing component is for initially establishing, via a gateway, a voice call between a mobile device which operates in a wireless network and a destination device. A first connection leg of the voice call is to be established between the mobile device and a conference room of the gateway. The technique involves sending to the gateway a request message for establishing a second connection leg between the network processing component and the destination device, and then subsequently sending to the gateway a re-routing message for re-routing the second connection leg from the network processing component to the conference room. This causes a voice call having the first and the second connection legs to be initially established between the mobile device and the destination device via the gateway.

Abstract: A network support node which includes a local area network (LAN) interface and a cellular RF interface is provided. The LAN interface is configured to connect the network support node as a LAN node in a LAN. The cellular RF interface is configured to provide wireless communications over a wireless communication link with a base station of a cellular network, such that the network support node operates as a client end station with the base station. The network support node receives, from the LAN via the LAN interface, data of a communication session between a mobile communication device and another communication device. The network support node communicates with the mobile communication device, via the cellular RF interface over the wireless communication link with the base station, the data of the communication session.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in switching communication operations between a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g. an IEEE 802.11-based network) and a wireless wide area network (WWAN) (e.g. a cellular telecommunications network) for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A network support node which is utilized to facilitate such transitioning has a first communication interface (e.g. an Ethernet interface) for connection with a communication network which includes the WLAN and a second communication interface (e.g. a cellular radio air interface) for communicating with a base station of the WWAN over a wireless communication link.

Abstract: Techniques for use in a network processing component is for initially establishing, via a gateway, a voice call between a mobile device which operates in a wireless network and a destination device. A first connection leg of the voice call is to be established between the mobile device and a conference room of the gateway. The technique involves sending to the gateway a request message for establishing a second connection leg between the network processing component and the destination device, and then subsequently sending to the gateway a re-routing message for re-routing the second connection leg from the network processing component to the conference room. This causes a voice call having the first and the second connection legs to be initially established between the mobile device and the destination device via the gateway.

Abstract: A mobile communication device operating in a wireless local area network (WLAN) of a communication network maintains an inter-enterprise voice call via its WLAN interface (e.g. 802.11/VoIP/SIP) with another communication device in the communication network. During the voice call, a handover of the voice call from the WLAN to a wireless wide area network (WWAN) (e.g. GSM/GPRS) is identified. In response to identifying a handover indication, the mobile device causes a request message (e.g. a SIP INVITE message) to be sent over the WWAN to the conferencing gateway for establishing a first connection leg through the WWAN via its WWAN interface with a conference room of the conferencing gateway. The mobile device also causes a re-routing message (e.g. a SIP REFER message) to be sent to the communication device, so that a second connection leg between the communication device and the conference room may be established.

Abstract: In one illustrative technique, a contention-free period indication is communicated by a wireless access point (AP) (e.g. a battery-powered AP) to a plurality of mobile communication devices within a beacon of a superframe. The contention-free period indication identifies a duration of a contention-free period within which the mobile devices must refrain from communicating through the AP. During each contention period subframe of each superframe, information is communicated to and/or from the mobile devices through a wireless transceiver of the AP. During each power conservation subframe of each superframe, the wireless transceiver is placed into a power conservation mode which is at least part of the contention-free period. Alternatively, or in combination with the wireless transceiver being placed in the power conservation mode, information for the mobile devices may be communicated to and/or from another AP within each relay subframe of each superframe which is at least part of the contention-free period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in switching communication operations between a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g. an IEEE 802.11-based network) and a wireless wide area network (WWAN) (e.g. a cellular telecommunications network) for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A network support node which is utilized to facilitate such transitioning has a first communication interface (e.g. an Ethernet interface) for connection with a communication network which includes the WLAN and a second communication interface (e.g. a cellular radio air interface) for communicating with a base station of the WWAN over a wireless communication link. The mobile device initially operates in the WLAN in a communication session with another communication device. During the session, the network support node receives an indication that the mobile device is transitioning from the WLAN to the WWAN.