Wireless communication system that supports selection of operation from multiple frequency bands and multiple protocols and method of operation therefor

A wireless communication system that facilitates wireless communication with a subscribing unit operating within a respective service area, the wireless communication system comprising:

• a mobile switching center;
• a plurality of base stations coupled to the mobile switching center that each provide wireless communication within a portion of the service area, at least one of the plurality of base stations providing service in a plurality of frequency bands and according to a plurality of communication protocols;
• at least one of the plurality of base stations indicating the plurality of frequency bands and the plurality of communication protocols in a broadcast message;
• the subscribing unit receiving the broadcast message;
• the subscribing unit transmitting a request to the base station based upon contents of the broadcast message, the request requesting additional information regarding one of the plurality of frequency bands or one of the plurality of communication protocols supported by the base station;
• and
• the subscribing unit communicating with one of the base stations on a selected frequency band according to a selected communication protocol.

A subscribing unit that operates within a wireless communication system having at least one base station that provides wireless communication within a service area in a plurality of frequency bands and according to a plurality of communication protocols, the subscribing unit comprising:

• a wireless interface that facilitates communication with the at least one base station to receive a broadcast message from the base station, the broadcast message indicating the plurality of frequency bands and the plurality of communication protocols;
• the wireless interface also facilitating transmission of a request to the base station based upon contents of the broadcast message, the request requesting additional information regarding one of the plurality of frequency bands or one of the plurality of communication protocols supported by the base station;
• a selection unit that selects at least one of the plurality of frequency bands and at least one of the plurality of communication protocols;
• and
• the subscribing unit communicating with the base station according to the at least one of the plurality of frequency bands and the at least one of the plurality of communication protocols.

A method of operating a wireless communication system that facilitates wireless communication with a subscribing unit operating within a service area, the method comprising:

• broadcasting from a base station a broadcast message that indicates a plurality of frequency bands and a plurality of communication protocols supported by the base station;
• receiving, by the subscribing unit, the broadcast message;
• transmitting, by the subscribing unit, a request to the base station based upon contents of the broadcast message, the request requesting additional information regarding one of the plurality of frequency bands or one of the plurality of communication protocols supported by the base station;
• selecting a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands;
• selecting a communication protocol of the plurality of communication protocols;
• and
• the subscribing unit and the base station communicating on the selected frequency band according to the selected communication protocol.

In a wireless communication system having a plurality of base stations coupled to a mobile switching center, with each base station providing wireless communications within a respective portion of a service area and at least one of the plurality of base stations operating in a plurality of frequency bands and according to a plurality of communication protocols, a method for operating the wireless communication system comprising:

• broadcasting from at least one of the base stations a broadcast message, the broadcast message indicating a plurality of frequency bands and a plurality of communication protocols supported by at least one of the base stations;
• receiving, by the subscribing unit, the broadcast message;
• selecting, by the subscribing unit, a base station from the plurality of base stations with which to establish communication;
• selecting a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands;
• selecting a communication protocol of the plurality of communication protocols;
• transmitting a request to the base station based upon contents of the broadcast message, the request requesting additional information regarding one of the plurality of frequency bands or one of the plurality of communication protocols supported by the base station;
• and
• the subscribing unit and the selected base station communicating in the selected frequency band according to the selected communication protocol.