Location based notification of wlan availability via wireless communication network

A method of operating a mobile computing device to conserve power, said mobile computing device including a first wireless interface for communicating with a first network, said method comprising:

• placing said first wireless interface in an inactive mode;
• receiving a notification indicating the presence of a first network proximate the current location of the mobile computing device from a second network;
• and
• activating said first wireless interface responsive to said notification.

A wireless communication network, comprising:

• a plurality of base stations operative to communicate wirelessly with at least one mobile terminal;
• a database storing location information relating to at least one wireless local area network;
• and
• a location estimator operative to estimate the location of said mobile terminal, and to notify said mobile terminal if said mobile terminal is within a predetermined range of said wireless local area network.

A wireless communication system, comprising:

• a mobile terminal;
• a plurality of base stations operative to communicate wirelessly with said mobile terminal;
• a database storing location information relating to at least one wireless local area network;
• a wireless mobile computing device including a wireless local area network interface for communicating with said wireless local area network, said interface being maintained in an inactive state and placed in an active state in response to a notification received by said mobile terminal from said wireless communication network indicating the proximity of said mobile terminal to said wireless local area network.