Abstract: A radio controller of a mobile communications system performing broadcasting or multicasting that transmits the same information to multiple cells is disclosed. The radio controller includes a control information comparison part configured to compare the control information of a first one of the cells and the control information of a second one of the cells adjacent to the first one of the cells; and a control information creation part configured to create adjacent cell control information corresponding to the second one of the cells. The control information creation part determines part of the control information of the second one of the cells different from the control information of the first one of the cells as the adjacent cell control information.

Abstract: An access point (AP) (120a) manages and coordinates the switching of mobile devices (110) to other access points (120b, c, d). The access point (120a) monitors the quality of its communications link with the mobile device (110). When the access point (120a) determines that the quality is degrading, or when the access point (120a) determines that its traffic is excessive, or when another switch-triggering event (202) occurs, the access point (120a) sends a transfer-request to other access points (120b, c, d) in its vicinity. If another access point can accept the mobile device (110), it notifies the requesting access point (120a) that it is available. The requesting access point (120a) selects from among the available access points (120b, c, d), and notifies the mobile device (110) to switch to the selected access point.

Abstract: Methods for dividing resources of base stations among multiple mobile stations are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, an overlapping group having a plurality of mobile stations that are overlapped between at least two cellular areas are generated (310) to provide a plurality of overlapping mobile stations, which are ranked (320) based, at least in part, on at least one threshold. A maximum number of the plurality of overlapping mobile stations having a highest ranking that can be assigned with reserved frequency and timing assignments are selected (322) to provide a plurality of selected overlapping mobile stations. These selected overlapping mobile stations are assigned (324) using the reserved frequency and timing assignments.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing handover in a mobile communication network and a mobile communication terminal using the same are provided. The method of performing handover in a mobile communication network includes: receiving information about signal intensity of mobile networks to which a user terminal can be connected; selecting at least one of connectable mobile networks as a network for handover using user information including information about user requirement and information about the received signal intensity; requesting approval of handover of the user terminal to the selected network for handover and receiving result information about the approval request from the network for handover; and transmitting information about a network in which handover is approved among the networks for handover to the user terminal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing handover in a mobile communication network are provided. The method of performing handover in a mobile communication network includes: obtaining a service providing time period and a utility function on a candidate network basis; obtaining a selection function of each of the candidate networks using the utility function and the service providing time period; and selecting a network for handover among the plurality of mobile networks using the selection function. Therefore, in consideration of user satisfaction and a network service quality, utility functions are defined and by selecting a network for handover using the utility functions, a network suitable for a user environment can be effectively selected and thus it is possible to perform handover that has a performance and a cost suitable for user request and that can maximize a quality of a mobile service.

Abstract: Adjacent base stations transmit and receive a signal using a plurality of carriers (frequencies), for example, f1 through f3. One base station has the largest transmission power for the carrier f1 and the smallest transmission power for the carrier f3. Another base station has the smallest transmission power for the carrier f1 and the largest transmission power for the carrier f3. Each of the carriers f1 through f3 has a different boundary positions.

Abstract: Example embodiments of methods, computer program products, apparatus, and systems for controlling handover of a terminal device are disclosed. In an example system, a terminal device is configured to select a handover target and initiate handover on its own. In the example system, the terminal device is tied to at least one predetermined cell by performing network-sided control of available handover targets.

Abstract: A wireless interoffice facility (IOF) is provided by a microwave network that overlays a public switched telephone network. The wireless IOF may be used by a carrier or other service provider to obtain needed bandwidth where the PSTN does not have sufficient capacity, the available capacity is too expensive, redundancy is needed or it is desirable to provide services that are alternative to or complementary with those provided by other common carriers. The wireless IOF may also be used to provide inter-LATA or interstate service without the need for an inter-exchange carrier.

Abstract: In a mobile communication system in which a compressed mode can be activated at the time of hand over, or when a base station which the mobile station is in communication with is switched to another base station, the distance between the mobile station and at least one of the plurality of base stations which is currently in communication with the mobile station is measured; and the activation of the compressed mode is controlled according to the measured distance. The activation of a compressed mode is controlled according to the distance between the base station and the mobile station.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for permitting a mobile terminal having multiple, heterogeneous network connections (e.g., multiple wired or wireless transceivers of various types) to set up and maintain virtual connections over multiple networks to either the same or to multiple destinations. The mobile terminal can “load-share” traffic, i.e., it can distribute segments of traffic over a full set of heterogeneous networks, significantly improving the reliability and availability of communications. In a first embodiment, a mobile terminal is configured with multiple radio frequency (RF) transceivers. Operating system software is provided for dynamically establishing and maintaining traffic flow for user applications over multiple communications paths, and for automatically adapting to variations in the networking environment, application traffic flow requirements, end user preferences, or mobility.

Abstract: A system and method for accommodating a rapid transition between heterogeneous radio access technologies is provided. A local network 105 having a controller 114 and a plurality of access points 106,107,108,109,110,111 receives information 117 from a communication device 101 relating to the network 116 it is exiting. During the transition process from a first network 116, for example a cellular wide area network, to a second network 105, for example an IMS-WLAN, the communication device 101 passes its wide area network servicing base station information 117 to an access point 106 of the local network 105. Upon exiting the local network 105, wide area network servicing base station information 121 is delivered to an exiting communication device 112, thereby enabling it to abbreviate or eliminate traditional scanning and acquisition processes that occur in network handoff exchanges.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described to address the need for reduced handoff delays associated with inter-AN (access network) HRPD (High Rate Packet Data)/1XEV-DO handoffs. The disclosed approach enables an AT (101) with an active packet data session to perform a hard handoff from a source AN (121, 221) to a target AN (122, 222) without having to force the data session dormant. Unlike known hard handoff approaches that involve coordination by a mobile switching center (MSC), the disclosed approach uses peer-to-peer signaling with no MSC involvement, such as that between source and target ANs or PCFs (131, 132, 231, 232). For example, data session information at the source side is transferred via new A13 messaging to the source entity's target-side peer to otherwise reduce signaling between the source and target equipment.

Abstract: A method of scanning frequencies for registration onto a wireless service provider by a wireless device is provided. The inventive method comprises predefining a priority sequence of frequencies in association with each of a plurality of locations. Itinerary information is received and a current expected location of the device in real-time based is determined based on the itinerary information. The device then scans frequencies according to any priority sequence predefined for the current expected location.

Abstract: A wireless mobile telephone for connecting to multiple networks that includes a cellular module for routing calls through a cellular telephone network, a wireless network module, operably connected to the cellular module, for routing calls on a wireless local area network (WLAN). The mobile telephone provides simultaneous connectivity to a cellular network and a WLAN and automatically detects and configures the mobile telephone to the WLAN when the mobile telephone enters a WLAN broadcast area using pre-programmed operating profiles for each different WLAN.

Abstract: A wireless communication network (20) utilizes a hard handoff procedure for switching between cells serving a mobile station (40). In a disclosed example, the existing link between the mobile station (40) and a serving base station (38) is not released until a new link between a target base station (32) and a mobile station (40) is established. At the same time, however, the mobile station maintains only one base station or link within its active set at all times. The disclosed example is useful for dedicated channel and shared channel communications in CDMA systems, for example.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-carrier communication method capable of preventing lowering of a throughput of another mobile device accompanying allocation of a sub-carrier for a new mobile station device. This multi-carrier communication method can acquire reception quality information for one of the sub-carriers already allocated in an MS (150a) from a BS (100a) and for one of the sub-carriers which can be allocated in the MS (150a) from the BS (100b). According to the reception quality information, a release sub-carrier is selected from the sub-carriers already allocated and a new-allocation sub-carrier is selected from the sub-carriers which can be allocated. The new-allocation sub-carrier has a frequency different from the already-allocated sub-carriers excluding the release sub-carrier. The BS (100a) is instructed to release the selected release sub-carrier and the BS (100b) is instructed to allocate the selected new-allocation sub-carrier in the MS (150a).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for facilitating the seamless handoff of IP connections between access routers in an IP network. The mobile IP network includes two or more access routers each serving a different geographic service area. When a mobile terminal moves from the first service area to the second service area, the mobile terminal transmits to the second access router the IP address of the previous access router. The second access router uses this information to learn capabilities of the first access router (e.g., bandwidths supported, security schemes, and the like) for use in future handoff decisions, and exchanges capability information with the first access router. The assumption is made based on the exchanged information that the access routers are geographically proximate.

Abstract: Handing off a node from a first access point to a second access point includes facilitating communication between a node and a network using a first access point. A handoff rule of one or more handoff rules is accessed. One or more handoff factors associated with the first access point and a second access point are determined. A handoff factor is relevant in deciding whether to handoff from the first access point to the second access point. The handoff rule is applied to the one or more handoff factors. Handoff of the node to the second access point is initiated if the one or more handoff factors satisfy the applied handoff rule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting cells in a mobile telecommunications system, the system comprising a network of a plurality of cells of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) and a network of a plurality of cells of a second Radio Access Technology (RAT), the method comprising, at a user equipment device: when in UMTS mode, flagging in a neighbouring cell list stored on the user equipment device information for a cell of a second RAT which is known to be unsuitable for selection. Information from the neighbouring cell list information for the flagged cell may be removed, in particular for a limited period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for adaptively determining a handover measurement interval. Power savings are achieved when a mobile terminal in a digital broadcast broadband network does not constantly attempt to measure the signal strength of nearby cells. By determining cell parameters, such as size and carrier frequency, and also determining dynamic information, such as signal strength and mobile speed over time, the time until the next handover measurement is adjusted up or down. When a mobile terminal is moving towards a transmitter in a cell, the handover measurement interval may be lengthened, and when a mobile terminal is moving away from a transmitter, the interval may be shortened.

Abstract: A signal transmission and reception method, and a base station and a mobile terminal therefor are disclosed. In a communication system including a base station and at least a mobile terminal, the transmission of the data signal from the base station to each mobile terminal is controlled in accordance with the manner in which the pilot signal transmitted from the base station to each mobile terminal is received by the mobile terminal. In the signal transmission method, the proper one of a plurality of signal multiplexing schemes is selected based on the control signal received from each mobile terminal, and the transmission signal is multiplexed by the selected signal multiplexing scheme and transmitted to each mobile terminal. The transmission signal includes the data signal and the dedicated pilot signal transmitted to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method and a mobile station for controlling interfrequency handovers of the mobile station is provided. The target value for a quality factor of the received downlink signal is used in determining a need for an interfrequency handover. The target value of the handover control method may be equal to the target value of the downlink outer loop power control, or target value of handover control may depend on the target value of the downlink outer loop power control. As the target value of the downlink outer loop power control is updated, the target value of the handover control is typically updated, too. The same target values, or values that depend on the downlink outer loop power control target values, for example, via a known function, are used in controlling interfrequency handovers. A method according to the preferred embodiments of the invention detects this situation and preparations for an interfrequency handover are typically initiated.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes first and second communication systems and a controller. The first communication system receives a first control signal indicating a first power level and receives first communications. The first communication system formats the first communications into a first communication signal having the first power level and a first communication protocol, and transfers the first communication signal. The second communication system receives a second control signal indicating a second power level and receives second communications. The second communication system formats the second communications into a second communication signal having the second power level and a second communication protocol, and transfers the second communication signal. The controller transfers the control signals, and combines the first communication signal and the second communication signal to form a wireless communication signal, and transfers the wireless communication signal.

Abstract: An improved User Plane location based service (LBS) architecture and message flow, enabling seamless User Plane location based services even when a mobile or wireless device has roamed among different carrier networks. The present invention overcomes constraints inherent in the current protocol for roaming support defined by the Secure User Plane Location Service specification. A location system is enabled to automatically fall back to a message tunneling mechanism to ensure the security of a communication path between the location service system and the target wireless device, ensuring that the communication path is uninterrupted as the wireless device travels.

Abstract: A method for establishing a packet data connection in a telecommunications system which includes an office network, an operator network, and a local area network between them. Data transmission from the office network through the local area network is adapted to a data transmission protocol according to a mobile system. The office network also includes a serving support node, a packet control unit, and a gateway support node, which are arranged to support the packet data protocol of the mobile system. The serving support node, packet control unit, and gateway support node are arranged to have a functional connection with each other and with a radio access gateway. A packet data connection request is made from a mobile station to the office network, and a packet data connection is established from the serving support node and gateway support node to a destination address defined by the link request.

Abstract: A method and system wherein handover information is broadcast in a wireless local area network. Handover information is broadcast in a beacon frame thereby allowing WTRUs operating in a wireless area network to handover to available alternative systems as desired. WTRUs may read the beacon frame and obtain appropriate information for handing over to alternative systems having coverage areas that overlap that of the wireless local area network. The alternative systems may be any type of wireless system and the wireless local area network may be any type of wireless area network.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes a first cell and a second cell overlapping one another in an overlap region, a first base station in the first cell, a second base station in the second cell, a first relay station configured to provide a multi-hop relay function between the first base station and a first point in the overlap region closer to the second base station than the first base station, and a second relay station configured to provide a multi-hop relay function between the second base station and a second point in the overlap region closer to the first base station than the second base station, wherein the first base station and the first relay station in the first cell provide communication service to the mobile station till the mobile station moves to the first point in the overlap region.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station includes a first interface for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second interface for wireless communication with a wireless wide area network (WWAN). An internetwork service control system controls how services are provided to the multi-mode mobile station via the WLAN and the WWAN. The same service logic in the internetwork service control system can control the provision of services via both the WLAN and the WWAN. For example, a service logic module can be executed to define SIP signaling to control the provision of a service via the WLAN and can be executed to define WIN signaling to control the provision of the same service via the WWAN. The internetwork service control system may also include a call state monitor that maintains the call state of the multi-mode mobile station via the WLAN and the WWAN.

Abstract: A system and method schedule series of packets for transmission between terminals in a single wireless channel of a packet-switched local area network. The local area network can operate in an ad hoc mode or in infrastructure mode. A transmission rate is assigned to each of the terminals. The terminals can be mobile. Different terminals can be assigned different transmission rates, depending on a quality of the channel. That is, terminals transmitting via an error-free channel are assigned a higher transmission rate than terminals transmitting via an error-prone channel. Then, the series of packets are scheduled for transmission between the terminals such that each terminal receives a substantially equal amount of transmission time over an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method (FIG. 11) and corresponding wireless communication unit (102, FIG. 5) and mobility manager (116, FIG. 6) for facilitating a handover from one communication network (106) to another communication network (108) of an ongoing communication (120, 122) between a wireless communication unit (102) and a peer communication unit (114, 714). The method including obtaining call information (1103) corresponding to the ongoing communication where the ongoing communication uses the first communication network; and ascertaining a handover number (1105) for use by the wireless communication unit to originate a handover call (1107) via the second network (108), the handover number terminating within the first communication network for use in facilitating the handover of the ongoing communication to the second communication network.

Abstract: A communication system provides a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) to a roaming user equipment (UE) by receiving, at a first network, a request from the UE to subscribe to an MBMS service and, in response to receiving the request, conveying to the UE a Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI) that is uniquely associated with the MBMS service and the first network. When the first network receives information associated with a registration of the UE with a second network and further receives MBMS data associated with the MBMS service, the first network conveys the MBMS data and the TMGI to the UE via the second network. By using a TMGI that is unique to the MBMS service and the first network, the UEs subscribed to an MBMS service at the second network ignore a notification conveyed to the UE by the second network, thereby preserving a battery life of such UEs.

Abstract: A wireless network may be managed by identifying one or more wireless subscriber systems included in a lobe pool of a wireless network, identifying at least one candidate subscriber system outside of the lobe pool with which to enable communications, and reconfiguring the antenna such that the lobe pool includes the identified candidate subscriber system.

Abstract: The invention discloses a communication system, method and devices for controlling transmission of packets to a user equipment during cell change. The communication system is configured so that data to be transmitted to the user equipment are first transmitted, e.g. from a network controller, to a serving cell and then transmitted from a data buffer of the serving cell to the user equipment. After having performed a cell change from the serving cell to the target cell, the data are transmitted from the target cell to the user equipment. The system, method and devices are adapted to reduce the amount of data in the data buffer in response to a decision of performing a cell change from the serving cell to the target cell. The reduction of the amount of data in the data buffer can be achieved e.g. by reducing the data flow from the network controller to the serving cell, and/or by increasing the data flow from the data buffer to the user equipment.

Abstract: The invention is related to a controller of a communication system that includes a module for exchanging messages indicating a traffic channel change between communication system units before hard handover, a module for changing a downlink traffic channel, a module for detecting a communication system unit on a handover target channel, a module for changing an uplink traffic channel, and a module for completing a hard handover process.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for facilitating base station selection/handover by a user terminal in a distributed (e.g., cellular-type) wireless communication system. In accordance with one aspect, hysteresis is adaptively determined as a function of the variance of receive signal strength fluctuations. In turn, an adaptive hysteresis factor can be obtained and used for a subsequent handover decision, for example, based on a cost function that takes into account the hysteresis. In accordance with another aspect, base station selection depends on a number of criteria, such as received signal strength, base station load, and estimated distance between a receiving user terminal and one or more base stations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a multi-carrier communications system are described. Various approaches to a phased system deployment and system configurations resulting from different levels of deployment are described. In addition mobile node and methods of operating mobile nodes in communications systems that may have different levels of deployment in different cells are described.

Abstract: A wireless ad hoc network is established so that communication terminals performing random access do not interfere with one another. A radio communication device grasps the existence of a surrounding radio communication device using a predetermined method, and when a new radio communication device is detected, an authentication verification operation of the new radio communication device is performed. When the authentication is successful, the new radio communication device is registered in a neighbor connection list. If the authentication fails, it is registered in a neighbor non-connection list. As a result, the wireless ad hoc network can be established without having the radio communication devices sharing the same space interfering with one another.

Abstract: The present invention allows a single access point (“AP”; 100) to support a plurality of devices (102, 104) operating on different frequency bands. During a first period of time, the AP initiates a contention free period at a first frequency. The AP switches from the first frequency to a second frequency, and communicates with devices operating at the second frequency. Periodically during the first period of time, the AP temporarily ceases communication with devices operating at the second frequency to initiate a contention free period at the second frequency, switch from the second frequency to the first frequency, initiate another contention free period at the first frequency, and switch from the first frequency back to the second frequency.

Abstract: With respect to a first wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), at least one WTRU near the periphery of other cells is determined. Out of the at least one WTRU near the periphery, at least one WTRU nearby that WTRU is determined. The first WTRU codes are provided of the at least one nearby WTRU. A contribution of the at least one nearby WTRU is canceled from a received signal at a first WTRU, producing an interference canceled signal. Data of the first WTRU is detected from the interference canceled signal.

Abstract: Method and system to support fast hand-over of mobile subscriber stations in broadband wireless networks. In connection with a hand-over process, a determination is made to which target base station (BS) an air interface for a mobile subscriber station (MSS) is to be handed-over. Various service requirements are requested by the MSS, including a Quality of Service (QoS) level. Based on feedback from potential target BSs, a target BS for hand-over is selected. Current connection context data corresponding to current service flows provided by a serving BS is passed to the target BS to pre-provision service such that a minimal amount of re-entry messaging is required. In one embodiment, a Management Information Base (MIB) instance is maintained at each BS in a broadband wireless network. To pre-provision service, applicable connection context data are transferred between MIB instances at the serving and target BS using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) messaging.

Abstract: In many cellular systems, reusing spectrum bandwidth, creates problems in boundary regions between the cells and sectors where the signal strength received from adjacent base stations or adjacent sector transmissions of a single base station may be nearly equivalent. The invention creates a new type of diversity, referred to as multiple carrier diversity by utilizing multiple carriers, assigning different power levels to each carrier frequency at each base station, and/or offsetting sector antennas. The cell and/or sector coverage areas can be set so as to minimize or eliminate overlap between cell and/or sector boundary regions of different carrier frequencies. Mobile nodes traveling throughout the system can exploit multiple carrier diversity by detecting carriers and selecting to use a non-boundary carrier based on other system criteria in order to improve performance. Boundary carriers may, but need not be, identified and excluded from consideration for use by a wireless terminal.

Abstract: A mobile communication system 100 according to the present invention comprises handover control apparatus 1 and radio terminal unit 10. The handover control apparatus 1 controls handover of a radio terminal unit 10 between access routers 31-34 provided in respective base stations 21-24 for radio communication with the radio terminal unit 10. The handover control apparatus 1 counts the number of relay routers for every candidate access router 32-34 for a destination of the radio terminal unit 10, from a gateway device 52 and determines a COR on the basis of the number of relay routers for every access router 32, 33, 34 thus counted.

Abstract: A method for reducing a delay in a wireless communications system resulting from a handoff while mitigating a risk of premature termination of wireless communications, the method includes comparing data indicative of actual use of the wireless communications systems to at least one predetermined criteria. If the comparing determines a sector pairing in the wireless communications system to be statistically significant for purposes of recommending at least one search window setting, at least one value related with a distance associated with the sector pairing may be used to automatically determine a corresponding signal delay. If the corresponding signal delay exceeds a prior determined signal delay, a recommended search window setting may be determined using the corresponding signal delay.

Abstract: A method for performing a soft handoff, including establishing a first control channel via a network between a first BSC and a first BTS. The method also includes establishing a second control channel via the network between a second BSC and a second BTS. A call between a mobile station (MS) and the first BTS is established, and while the call continues an indication is sent to the first BSC that the MS has received a signal from the second BTS. In response to the indication, a trigger is conveyed from the first BSC to the second BTS, and, in response to receiving the trigger at the second BTS, further traffic associated with the call is directed between the MS, the second BTS, and the first BSC, without conveying the further traffic through the second BSC.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for establishing a reference corresponding to the timing of a received signal from the first source, determining the timing for each received signal from a plurality of second sources, adjusting the reference to the timing of the received signal from one of the second sources, the timing of the received signal used to adjust the reference being closest in time to the unadjusted reference, and synchronizing a signal to the reference for transmission.

Abstract: A method for estimating the location of a blindfolded node (235) in a wireless network having reference nodes (225, 230) is provided. The reference nodes (225, 230) are combined into pairs (301) and each pair is checked to determine if the reference nodes are within each other's communication rage (304). A plurality of probable regions (315) for the blindfolded node are obtained (313, 315). These probable regions are overlapped (320), and the blindfolded node's estimated location is estimated to be the geometric center of the overlapped regions (325).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining soft or softer handoff are described. The present invention includes the steps of comparing sectors in an active set to set values corresponding to the soft or softer handoff for the sectors, respectively in a base station, transmitting a first parameter for selecting cell switching parameters between the sectors neighboring each other in the active set to a mobile station wherein the set values for the respective sectors are included in the first parameter, generating values of a parameter PDCH_GROUP_IDENTIFIER corresponding to a packet data channel group identifier using the set values included in the first parameter, determining whether a serving sector and a target sector among the sectors are in the soft or softer handoff using the generated values of the parameter PDCH_GROUP_IDENTIFIER, and selecting the cell switching parameters accordingly.

Abstract: Overlay and underlay carriers are used to transmit traffic over a cellular network for a call associated with a mobile terminal. A method involves determining which one of the underlay carrier and the overlay carrier is to carry the traffic as a function of a resource parameter associated with a resource for transmitting the traffic and a mobility parameter of the mobile terminal. In some implementations, the method is applied at for example a base station to a plurality of calls associated with various mobile terminals within a cell and the calls are assigned to the underlay carrier and the overlay carrier using an optimization routine that optimizes a function associated with the capacity while imposing a constraint such as for example a constraint on a hand-off rate between the carriers.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for providing WLAN (wireless local area network) service through a fixed wireless access communication system. WLAN transceivers are fixed in position at subscriber stations of the fixed wireless access communication system. Each WLAN transceiver defines a coverage area. Through appropriate positioning of the WLAN transceivers at the subscriber stations, overlapping coverage areas are formable and between which handovers of communications with a mobile station are effectuated when a mobile station travels out of one coverage area and into another coverage area.

Abstract: A wireless, multi-modal access device and system adapted to integrate a number of communications networks operating in differing communication modes to facilitate transfer of communication links during a communication session to promote efficient use of the communication networks. The system includes a plurality of Universal Multi-Modal Access Devices UMMAD that are capable of operating at different frequencies and different protocols (TDMA, AMPS, CDMA, GSM, PCS etc) to communicate with any one of a number of Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG), which are each capable of communication using one or more of the protocols. The communication links may be switched from one WBG to another or from one protocol to another during a communication session to continue the session under the control of a Universal System Traffic Controller. Numerous other applications of the UMMADs for unique identification and e-commerce are disclosed.