Facility and method for wireless transmission of data

A accessory device for use with a wireless handset comprising:

• a power storage facility;
• electrical contacts connected to the power storage facility for supplying power to the handset;
• a GPS receiver operable to receive a location signal;
• accessory circuitry operable to provide a digital signal based on the location signal to a wireless handset having transmitter circuitry operable to communicate via at least a plurality of different digital signal transmission protocols with a remote facility;
• and
• mode selection circuitry operable to select a preferred protocol based on at least a selected characteristic of each of the alternative modes.

A multi-mode digital wireless communication system comprising:

• a call center having a server connected to the Internet and to a wireless telecommunication network;
• a packet data controller connected to the Internet and to the wireless network;
• and
• the call center being operable to communicate with a remote unit via a plurality of modes selected from the group of modes including voice and data calls via the wireless telecommunication network, and packet data modes via the packet data controller.