Dual mode unit for short range, high rate and long range, lower rate data communications

A method for selecting a wireless communication path from among at least a first wireless data communication path and a second wireless data communication path, the second wireless data communication path providing wider coverage and a slower communication rate than the first wireless data communication path, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) in response to a request to establish a communication session, determining whether the first wireless data communication path is available;
• (b) establishing a communication session using the first wireless data communication path if the first wireless data communication path is available;
• (c) establishing a communication session using the second wireless data communication path if the first wireless data communication path is not available;
• and
• (d) when a communication session has been established via the second wireless data communication path, controlling a local wireless transceiver to appear to the second wireless data communication path as though the bandwidth is continuously available during said communication session for wireless communications, irrespective of the need to transport data communication signals;
• and
• (e) when a communication session has been established via the second wireless data communication path, in the absence of said need to transport data communication signals, making said bandwidth available for wireless communication by another wireless transceiver of said communication network.