Virtual gateway node for dual-mode wireless phones

A method for communicating voice and call control data between an IP-based telephone switch and a dual-mode subscriber device capable of operation within a wireless communication system, comprising the steps of:

• establishing a WLAN link with the dual-mode subscriber device;
• establishing a communication link with the IP-based telephone switch;
• and
• relaying voice and call control data between the dual-mode subscriber device and the IP-based telephone switch,
• wherein the call control data transmitted over the communication link are in a first control signaling format and the call control data transmitted over the WLAN link are in second control signaling format different than the first control signaling format.

A virtual gateway for communicating voice and call control data between an IP-based telephone switch connected via a communication link and a dual-mode subscriber device connected via a WLAN link, comprising:

• a portable computing device, including
• a wireless local area network interface capable of establishing a WLAN link with the dual-mode subscriber device,
• a network interface capable of establishing a communication link with the IP-based telephone switch, and
• a processor configured to relay voice and call control data between the dual-mode subscriber device and the IP-based telephone switch,
• wherein the call control data transmitted over the communication link are in first control signaling format and the call control data transmitted over the WLAN link are in second control signaling format different than the first control signaling format.