A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for controlling admission to a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
- activating a session between a wireless terminal and the communications network;
- suspending the session if a communication link between the wireless terminal and communications network fails;
- automatically attempting to maintain connectivity between the wireless terminal and the communications network through transparent reconnection attempts;
- and
- reactivating the suspended session if reconnection is effected, wherein the step of automatically attempting to maintain connectivity comprises requesting a hand-off of the suspended session to an alternative gateway,
- wherein the program storage device further comprises instructions for performing the step of allocating a predetermined maximum number of suspended session H that may be maintained by a gateway in the communications network, and wherein the instructions for performing the step of suspending the session comprise instructions for performing the steps of:
- attempting a hand-off of the active session to the gateway;
- and
- if the hand-off fails, suspending the session if there are less than H suspended sessions in the gateway.