Network assisted bonding

A communications device configured to assist managing at least two wireless communications networks, including at least a first wireless network and a second wireless network, the communications device comprising:

• at least one processor configured to:
• control a plurality of first wireless modems associated with a first end node side of the at least two wireless communications networks, and communicate via a plurality of wireless data channels with at least one second wireless modem associated with a second end node side of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein some of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the first wireless network, and others of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the second wireless network;
• manage at least one of distribution and receipt of a plurality of data streams over the plurality of data channels, wherein the media transmission comprises an aggregate of the plurality of data streams;
• cause performance-related information to be sent to a network component from the at least one of first end node and the second end node;
• and
• enable a determination to be made about managing network resources of one of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein the determination is based on the performance-related information and includes offloading at least some of the plurality of data streams from the first wireless network to the second wireless network when the performance-related information associated with the second wireless network indicates that the second wireless network currently has satisfactory performance.

A network device configured to facilitate a media transmission over at least two wireless communications networks including at least a first wireless network and a second wireless network, the network device comprising:

• a network component located intermediate a first end node on a media transmission side of the at least two wireless communications networks and a second end node on a media reception side of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein the media transmission side includes a plurality of first wireless modems and the media reception side includes at least one second wireless modem, and wherein the at least two wireless communications networks include a plurality of wireless data channels extending between and connecting the plurality of first wireless modems with the at least one second wireless modem, and some of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the first wireless network, while others of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the second wireless network, the network component including at least one processor configured to:
• receive network-related information from one of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein the network-related information includes information related to a handover of a modem associated with the first wireless network;
• and
• transmit the network-related information to the media transmission side in order to cause a redistribution of a plurality of data streams handled by at least some of the plurality of first wireless modems, wherein the redistribution of the plurality of data streams includes transmitting more data streams via data channels associated with the second wireless network and transmitting fewer data streams via data channels associated with the first wireless network, and the media transmission transmitted over the plurality of wireless data channels comprises an aggregate of the plurality of data streams.

A method for assisting management of one of at least two wireless communications networks, including at least a first wireless network and a second wireless network, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of first wireless modems on a first end node side of the at least two wireless communications networks configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless data channels with at least one second wireless modem associated with a second end node side of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein some of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the first wireless network, and others of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the second wireless network;
• managing at least one of distribution and receipt of a plurality of data streams over the plurality of data channels, wherein the media transmission comprises an aggregate of the plurality of data streams;
• sending performance-related information to a network component located intermediate the first end node and the second end node, and from the first end node and the second end node;
• and
• enabling a determination to be made about managing network resources of one of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein the determination is based on the performance-related information and includes offloading at least some of the plurality of data streams from the first wireless network to the second wireless network when the performance-related information associated with the second wireless network indicates that the second wireless network currently has satisfactory performance.

A network device configured to facilitate a media transmission over at least two wireless communications networks, including at least a first wireless network and a second wireless network, the network device comprising:

• a network component located intermediate a first end node on a media transmission side of the at least two wireless communications networks and a second end node on a media reception side of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein the media transmission side includes a plurality of first wireless modems and the media reception side includes at least one second wireless modem, and wherein the at least two wireless communications networks include a plurality of wireless data channels extending between and connecting the plurality of first wireless modems with the at least one second wireless modem, and some of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the first wireless network, while others of the plurality of wireless data channels are associated with the second wireless network, the network component including at least one processor configured to:
• receive network-related information from one of the at least two wireless communications networks, wherein the network-related information includes information related to a handover of a modem associated with the first wireless network;
• and
• transmit the network-related information to the media transmission side in order to cause a redistribution of a plurality of data streams handled by at least some of the plurality of first wireless modems, wherein the redistribution of the plurality of data streams results in fewer network resources being allocated and used, and the media transmission transmitted over the plurality of wireless data channels comprises an aggregate of the plurality of data streams.