Mobility support for virtual terminals

A wireless communication system comprising:

• a virtual terminal formed from a plurality of independent physical wireless devices;
• and
• a terminal management entity for managing the virtual terminal, the terminal management entity being a computer connected to the wireless communication system and having a processor, the processor arranged to:
• create a service ID for a specific service subscribed by a user and to be provided to the virtual terminal, the service ID associated with one or more of the plurality of independent physical wireless devices;
• associate the virtual terminal with the network wherein the association between the virtual terminal and the network is through the use of a multi-homing protocol, the association supporting the service by using the service ID;
• manage provision of the service to at least one independent physical wireless device of the virtual terminal;
• and
• select, based on a service requirement, at least one independent device of the virtual terminal to which to deliver the service.

A Terminal Management Entity in the form of a computer connected to a wireless communication system and having a processor providing:

• means to register a virtual terminal, formed from a plurality of independent devices in the wireless communication system;
• means to create a service ID for a specific service subscribed by a user and to be provided to the virtual terminal, the service ID associated with one or more of the plurality of independent devices;
• means to form an association of the virtual terminal with the network wherein the association between the virtual terminal and the network is through the use of a multi-homing protocol, the association supporting the service by using the service ID;
• and
• a manager to manage provision of the service to at least one independent device of the virtual terminal by selecting, based on a service requirement, the at least one independent device of the virtual terminal to which to deliver the service.

A virtual terminal for use in a wireless network, comprising:

• a plurality of independent wireless devices;
• wherein
• a processor of one of the independent wireless devices provides a control module for communicating with a Terminal Management Entity in the network, the control module comprising:
• registering means to register the virtual terminal with the Terminal Management Entity;
• receiving means to receive from the Terminal Management Entity a service ID for a specific service subscribed by a user and to be provided to the virtual terminal, the service ID associated with one or more of the plurality of independent devices;
• associating means to perform with the Terminal Management Entity an association of the virtual terminal with the network wherein the association between the virtual terminal and the network is through the use of a multi-homing protocol, the association supporting the service by using the service ID;
• and
• deciding means for deciding, based on a service requirement, whether said one of the independent wireless devices is suitable for providing the service.