Voip service threshold determination by wireless router

A method in a wireless router for servicing a plurality of wireless terminals within a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) service area, the plurality of wireless terminals including at least one Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireless terminal, the method comprising:

• receiving a query from a VoIP service accumulator requesting information regarding a capability of the wireless router to service a VoIP call with an acceptable service quality level, the VoIP service accumulator associated with a broadband connection capable of supporting broadband communications;
• responding to the VoIP service accumulator query with information regarding the capability of the wireless router to service the VoIP call within the acceptable service quality level;
• and
• servicing, via the VoIP service accumulator, the VoIP call within the WLAN service area based upon the information regarding the capability of the wireless router to service the VoIP call within the acceptable service quality.

A wireless router comprising:

• a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface;
• a broadband interface;
• and
• a processing unit communicatively coupled to the WLAN interface and to the broadband interface, wherein the processing unit is operable to:
• direct the WLAN interface to service a plurality of wireless terminals within a WLAN service area, the plurality of wireless terminals including at least one Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireless terminal;
• direct the broadband interface to establish broadband communications with a VoIP service accumulator via a broadband connection;
• receive a query from the VoIP service accumulator requesting information regarding prior servicing of VoIP calls by the wireless router;
• respond to the VoIP service accumulator with information regarding the prior servicing of the VoIP calls by the wireless router;
• direct the WLAN interface to scan through supported WLAN channels of the WLAN service area to determine at least one preferred channel for servicing a VoIP call;
• direct the WLAN interface to subsequently use the at least one preferred channel to service the VoIP call;
• and
• direct the WLAN interface and the broadband interface to service the VoIP call for the at least one VoIP wireless terminal via the WLAN service area and the broadband connection based upon the information.