Selection of networks between WLAN and 2G/3G networks based on user and provider preferences

A method of administering network selections for a mobile station between a second generation/third generation wireless network and wireless local area networks, said method comprising:

• (a) detecting when the mobile station encounters a wireless local area network;
• (b) communicating an identity of the encountered wireless local area network to the second generation/third generation wireless network, said communicating prompting a query for permission to establish a session between the mobile station and the encountered wireless local area network, said query being sent from the second generation/third generation wireless network to the encountered wireless local area network;
• (c) when permission to establish the session is granted by the encountered wireless local area network in response to the query, receiving a key distributed to the mobile station, said key being used by the mobile station to establish a session between the mobile station and the encountered wireless local area network;
• and,
• (d) maintaining user preferences which control the administering of network selections, said user preferences specifying at least one of:
• a time, date or location restriction outside of which the mobile station is not to be handed-off to a wireless local area network;
• which wireless local area networks the mobile station can be handed-off to;
• which wireless local area network to favor when more than one wireless local area network is available;
• and, a hand-off transparency for a wireless local area network.

A method of administering network selections for a mobile station between a second generation/third generation wireless network and wireless local area networks, said method comprising:

• (a) detecting when the mobile station encounters a wireless local area network;
• (b) communicating an identity of the encountered wireless local area network to the second generation/third generation wireless network, said communicating prompting a query for permission to establish a session between the mobile station and the encountered wireless local area network, said query being sent from the second generation/third generation wireless network to the encountered wireless local area network;
• (c) when permission to establish the session is granted by the encountered wireless local area network in response to the query, receiving a key distributed to the mobile station, said key being used by the mobile station to establish a session between the mobile station and the encountered wireless local area network;
• and,
• (d) maintaining user preferences which control the administering of network selections, said user preferences specifying at least one of:
• a time, date or location restriction outside of which the mobile station is not to be handed-off to a wireless local area network;
• which wireless local area networks the mobile station can be handed-off to;
• which wireless local area network to favor when more than one wireless local area network is available;
• and, a hand-off transparency for a wireless local area network.

A client which administers network selections of a mobile communications device between a second generation/third generation wireless network and wireless local area networks, said client comprising:

• means for detecting when the mobile communications device encounters a wireless local area network;
• means for communicating an identity of the encountered wireless area local area network to the second generation/third generation wireless network, said communicating prompting a query for permission to establish a session between the mobile station and the encountered wireless local area network;
• and,
• means for receiving a key distributed to the mobile station when permission is granted, said key being used by the mobile station to establish a session between the mobile station and the encountered wireless local area network.