Method and apparatus for integrated wireless communications in private and public network environments

A communication system extending over a cellular region and formed of a plurality of wireless cells where each cell covers a portion of the cellular region comprising,

• one or more public networks including,
• a PLMN first wireless network using a first protocol for communicating with one or more first cells in the first wireless network and wherein each one of said first cells includes,
• a BSS including a first base station for communicating with mobile stations in one of said first cells,
• first control means including a BSC using the first protocol for communications associated with said first base station,
• one or more private networks including,
• a second wireless network using a second protocol for communicating with one or more second cells in the second wireless network and wherein each one of said second cells includes,
• a second base station for communicating with mobile stations in one of said second cells,
• second control means using a second protocol for communications associated with said second base station and including a gatekeeper communicating with said second base station for each of said second cells using said second protocol,
• a wired network communicating with said second protocol, a connection unit for interconnecting the public networks and the private
• networks to carry traffic,
• an interworking unit for correlating communications using said first protocol with communications using said second protocol to control said traffic between said public networks and the private networks.

A communication method for wireless communication extending over a cellular region formed of a plurality of wireless cells where each cell covers a portion of the cellular region comprising,

• communicating with a first protocol for one or more first cells in a first wireless network wherein each one of said first cells,
• communicating with mobile stations in one of said first cells using a first base station,
• communicating with said first base station using the first protocol,
• communicating with a second protocol for one or more second cells in a second wireless network wherein each one of said second cells,
• communicating with mobile stations in one of said second cells using a second base station,
• communicating with said second bases station using the second protocol and accessing a gatekeeper communicating with said second base station for each of said second cells using said second protocol,
• interconnecting the first wireless unit and the second wireless unit to carry traffic, and
• correlating communications using said first protocol with communications using said second protocol to control said traffic between said first wireless unit and the second wireless unit.