Mobility management for a multimedia mobile network

A method for use in a mobile user station of a packet-based multiaccess communications system for substantially ensuring continuity of an existing connection between the first mobile user station and a second mobile user station, the system including a plurality of network nodes, comprising the steps of:

• establishing a network node as an anchor for the first station, the network node having an address which includes an identifier, the first station having an address being a combination of the identifier of the network node and an identifier of the first station;
• and
• receiving at the first station at least a packet sent by the second station during the existing connection from the network node via another network node which the first station has established communication with in association with a handoff, and wherein any network node in the communications system is not required to obtain additional address information to direct the packet to the first station.

Apparatus for substantially ensuring continuity of an existing connection between a first mobile user station and a second mobile user station in a packet-based multiaccess communications system, including a plurality of network nodes comprising:

• a network node configured for being identified as an anchor for the first station, the network node having an address which includes an identifier, the first station having an address being a combination of the identifier of the network node and an identifier of the first station, and the network node also configured for receiving at least a packet from the second station during the existing connection containing the address of the first station such that the network node directs the packet to the first station via another network node which the first station has established communication with in association with a handoff, and wherein any network node in the communications system is not required to obtain additional address information to direct the packet to the first station.

Apparatus for substantially ensuring continuity of an existing connection in a packet-based multiaccess communications system, including a plurality of network nodes comprising:

• a first mobile user station configured for establishing a network node as an anchor for the first station, the network node having an address which includes an identifier, the first station having an address being a combination of the identifier of the network node and an identifier of the first station, the first station also configured for receiving at least a packet, sent by a second station during an existing connection therewith, from the network node via another network node which the first station has established communication with in association with a handoff, and wherein any network node in the communications system is not required to obtain additional address information to direct the packet to the first station.