Network selection for mobile client devices in integrated cellular and Wi-Fi networks

An apparatus comprising:

• a network interface configured to send and receive messages over a wired and/or wireless network;
• a processor in communication with a memory and configured to:
• receive, via the network interface unit, a first notification message from a first wireless network operating via a first radio frequency protocol, wherein the notification message indicates a presence of a mobile device within a radio frequency coverage area of a first wireless access point in the first wireless network, and wherein the first network protocol comprises one of a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol and a cellular network protocol;
• transmit a connection message to the mobile device, wherein the connection message comprises information configured to initiate a connection of the mobile device to a second wireless network operating via a second radio frequency protocol when a radio frequency coverage area of a second wireless access point in the second wireless network substantially overlaps the radio frequency coverage area of the first wireless access point in the first wireless network, and wherein when the first network operates via the Wi-Fi protocol, the second network operates via the cellular protocol, and when the first network operates via the cellular protocol, the second network operates via the Wi-Fi protocol;
• and
• wait a predetermined period of time prior to transmitting the connection message, wherein the connection message is configured to activate a user application on the mobile device relevant to a venue at which the mobile device is located;
• and
• wherein the processor is configured to transmit the connection message comprising one or more of parameters associated with the second wireless network, an indication of available frequencies in the second wireless network, and an indication of the user application to be started on the mobile device.

One or more computer readable non-transitory storage media encoded with software instructions that when executed are operable to:

• receive, via a network interface, a first notification message from a first wireless network operating via a first radio frequency protocol, wherein the notification message indicates a presence of a mobile device within a radio frequency coverage area of a first wireless access point in the first wireless network, and wherein the first network protocol comprises one of a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol and a cellular network protocol;
• transmit a connection message to the mobile device, wherein the connection message comprises information configured to initiate a connection of the mobile device to a second wireless network operating via a second radio frequency protocol when a radio frequency coverage area of a second wireless access point in the second wireless network substantially overlaps the radio frequency coverage area of the first wireless access point in the first wireless network, wherein when the first network operates via the Wi-Fi protocol, the second network operates via the cellular protocol, and when the first network operates via the cellular protocol, the second network operates via the Wi-Fi protocol;
• and
• wait a predetermined period of time prior to transmitting the connection message,
• wherein the connection message is configured to activate a user application on the mobile device relevant to a venue at which the mobile device is located˜
• wherein the instructions that transmit comprises instructions to transmit the connection message comprising:
• one or more of parameters associated with the second wireless network, an indication of available frequencies in the second wireless network, and an indication of the user application to be started on the mobile device.