Wireless telecommunications system and method of operation providing users′ carrier selection in overlapping hetergenous networks

An improved wireless telecommunication system providing users with carrier selection in overlapping heterogeneous wireless networks, comprising:

• (a) a plurality of wireless networks using different frequencies and protocols in the overlapping heterogeneous wireless networks;
• (b) a common command channel linking all networks, the channel storing user information indicative of a user's calling preferences, and providing access to a home location and a visitor location registers;
• (c) a Central Selection Agency (CSA) coupled to the command control channel;
• (d) a user device coupled to a network for a call received on the command control channel;
• recognized by the Central Selection Agency and assigned to a network depending on the user information thereby providing the user with a preferred protocol, bandwidth, and cost;
• and
• (e) wherein the central selection agency is a processor coupled to the control channel and processing calls from mobile user devices for carrier selection in accordance with user information stored in the processor and incorporated into an application program for a selection of the preferred carrier network to serve the user device at a location defined in the user call.

In an improved telecommunication network system including a plurality of overlapping cellular cells using different communication protocols, frequencies and further including an internetwork command channel, a Central Selection Agency (CSA), a home location register and a visitor location register accessible to the agency, a method for obtaining communication services for a user at a preferred protocol, bandwidth, an cost comprising the steps of:

• registering user connection requirements in a profile different from default connection requirements in the Central Selection Agency;
• determining the user location and connection parameter;
• broadcasting user information including user ID, location, connection capabilities on a common command channel;
• receiving the user information at a base station and transmitting the information to the Central Selection Agency;
• selecting the network and base station for the connection and forwarding the selection to the associated base station for transmitting to the user device;
• tuning the user device to the base station and initiating a connection with the appropriate protocol where by the user is connected to the network at a preferred protocol, bandwidth and cost;
• including an edge node in a network to mediate user connection to a network, the edge node including a business model so that a local business could become a micro-local exchange carrier, comprising the steps of:
• broadcasting user information including user ID and connection capability requirements on a command channel;
• receiving the user information at the edge node which requests information regarding bandwidth availability, pricing from potential networks;
• sending the network information to the user from the edge node for selection of a carrier;
• and
• initiating a call by the user device to the selected network and channel.

An improved wireless telecommunication system providing users with carrier selection in overlapping heterogeneous wireless networks, comprising:

• a plurality of base stations, each serving a different carrier and operating a shared command channel;
• each base station broadcasting on the shared command channel their location, frequency availability and bandwidth price;
• a user device including means for determining the geographical location of the device;
• and
• means within the user device accessing the shared command channel and selecting and tuning to the selected carrier directly for communication services.

In an improved telecommunication network system including a plurality of overlapping cellular cells using different communication protocols, frequencies and further including a command channel, a Central Selection Agency (CSA), a home location register and a visitor location register accessible to the agency, a method for obtaining communication services for a user at a preferred protocol, bandwidth, and cost comprising the steps of:

• registering user connection requirements in a profile different from default connection requirements in the Central Selection Agency;
• determining the user location and connection parameter;
• broadcasting user information including user ID, location, connection capabilities on a common command channel;
• receiving the user information at a base station and transmitting the information to the Central Selection Agency;
• selecting the network and base station for the connection and forwarding the selection to the associated base station for transmitting to the user device;
• tuning the user device to the base station and initiating a connection with the appropriate protocol where by the user is connected to the network at a preferred protocol, bandwidth and cost;
• informing a called user device on the command channel that a call is waiting;
• and selecting in the user device a network and base station to receive the call.

In an improved telecommunication network system including a plurality of overlapping cellular cells using different communication protocols, frequencies and further including a command channel, a Central Selection Agency (CSA), a home location register and a visitor location register accessible to the agency, a method for obtaining communication services for a user at a preferred protocol, bandwidth, and cost comprising the steps of:

• registering user connection requirements in a profile different from default connection requirements in the Central Selection Agency;
• determining the user location and connection parameter;
• broadcasting user information including user ID, location, connection capabilities on a common command channel;
• receiving the user information at a base station and transmitting the information to the Central Selection Agency;
• selecting the network and base station for the connection and forwarding the selection to the associated base station for transmitting to the user device;
• tuning the user device to the base station and initiating a connection with the appropriate protocol where by the user is connected to the network at a preferred protocol, bandwidth and cost;
• detecting an impending handoff of a call in a first network to a second network;
• notifying the CSA of the impending handoff;
• checking the CSA database for call parameters of the second network;
• sending an incoming traffic message to the second network from the CSA;
• picking up the call by the second network;
• mapping the user to a landline port by the network;
• and
• updating the CSA database and billing.