Wireless access unit using standardized management and connection protocols

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data representing instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

• performing connection management and mobility management functions between a wireless access communication unit and a cellular network base station using GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) connection management and GSM mobility management;
• and
• transporting call data over a wireless connection between the wireless access communication unit and the base station using a non-GSM over-the-air physical layer protocol.

A mobile switching center,

• the mobile switching center being connected to a base station controller, and communicating with the base station controller using a GSM protocol,
• the mobile switching center also being connected to a wireless access unit that provides a wireless communication path using a non-GSM over-the-air physical layer protocol between wired subscriber units and a base station coupled to the base station controller, the mobile switching center performing with the wireless access unit connection management and mobility management functions using GSM connection management and GSM mobility management protocols end-to-end, the connection management and mobility management functions providing at least call set-up, maintenance and release functions for each of the wired subscriber units.