Method and system for switching a radio access technology between wireless communication systems with a multi-mode wireless transmit/receive unit

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

• a transmitter configured to send a first message via a cellular access network, the first message indicating that the WTRU is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;
• a receiver configured:
• to receive a service from a core network via the cellular access network;
• and
• to receive a second message via the cellular access network, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) of WLANs available for handoff;
• and
• a processor configured to select one of the WLANs indicated by the SSIDs and to initiate a handover to the selected WLAN;
• wherein the receiver is configured to receive the service via the selected WLAN in response to the handover.

A method for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:

• receiving a service from a core network via a cellular access network;
• sending a first message via the cellular access network, the first message indicating that the WTRU is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;
• receiving a second message via the cellular access network that is responsive to the first message, the second message including Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) indicating WLANs available for handoff;
• selecting one of the WLANs indicated by the SSIDs;
• initiating a handover to the selected WLAN;
• and
• upon completion of the handover, receiving the service from the core network via the selected WLAN.

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

• a transmitter configured to send a first message via a cellular access network, the first message indicating that the WTRU is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;
• a receiver configured:
• to receive a service from a core network via the cellular access network;
• and
• to receive a second message via the cellular access network, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) of WLANs available for handoff;
• and
• a processor configured to select one of the WLANs indicated by the SSIDs and to initiate a handover to the selected WLAN;
• wherein the receiver is configured to receive the service via the selected WLAN upon completion of the handover.