Patent Publication Number: US-2004057408-A1

Title: Method and system of providing bandwidth on demand to WAN user from WLAN access point

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is related to co-pending patent application entitled “Method and System of Informing WAN User of Nearby WLAN Access Points,” Ser. No. ______ [attorney docket number 10111008-1], filed concurrently herewith, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates generally to communications systems and, in particular, to a method and system of providing bandwidth on demand to Wide Area Network (WAN) users from Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] A WAN cellular communications or wireless telecommunications network system includes a number of fixed base stations (also known as cell sites) interconnected by a cable medium to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) that connects to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The PSTN is often referred to as the system backbone.  
       [0004] Associated with each base station is a geographic cell. The cell is a geographic coverage area in which a base station has sufficient signal strength to transmit data and receive data from mobile appliances, such as a data terminal, personal digital assistant (PDA), pager or telephone, with an acceptable error rate. Typically, base stations are positioned such that the combined cell area coverage from each base station provides full coverage of a particular area or zone.  
       [0005] Mobile appliances, such as telephone, pagers, PDAs, email devices, data terminals and the like, are designed to be moved throughout the system from cell to cell. Each mobile appliance is capable of communicating with the system backbone via wireless communications between the device and a base station to which the mobile appliance is registered. As the wireless subscriber roams from one cell to another, the mobile appliance associated with a wireless subscriber will typically deregister with the base station of the previous cell and register with the base station associated with the new cell.  
       [0006] WANs can be co-located with other telecommunication networks, such as wireless local area networks. Local Area Networks (LANs) are typically connected by routers and bridges, and typically connect their mobile appliances, such as notebook computers or PDAs, via a wireless 802.11 access point. Routers and bridges differ in that routers operate at the network layer level of the International Standards Organization (ISO) Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model, and bridges operate at the data link layer of the OSI reference model. Currently available IEEE 802.11 access points utilize the 802.11b (11 Mbps data rate) or IEEE 802.11a (54 Mbps data rate) standards. For geographically dispersed WLANs, the WLANs can be interconnected by use of the PSTN, Public Switched Data Network (PSDN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), the Internet and the like.  
       [0007] Although the generally available data transmission rates of the WAN are adequate to support many current wireless voice and data services, such as email, cellular calls and the like, it is not suitable for transmitting, receiving, uploading or downloading a video file or other large data file, such as an attachment to an email. A typical WAN cell site covers a few kilometers while a typical IEEE 802.11b WLAN access point covers about 100 meters. Therefore, a user may be within range of a WAN base station yet out of range of the higher data rate WLAN access point. Additionally, the WAN user connected to a WAN network is generally unaware of and/or can&#39;t locate nearby access points to access and utilize a high bandwidth transmission system, such as a WLAN-based network.  
       [0008] Accordingly, the present invention proceeds upon the desirability of providing WLAN network bandwidth on demand to WAN users from WLAN access points or sites, thereby enabling the WAN user to access and utilize the desired WLAN bandwidth from a high speed WLAN-based network to efficiently and quickly transmit, receive, upload or download a video file or a large data file.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] A method of providing bandwidth on demand to a WAN user from a WLAN access point determines a current position of a mobile appliance associated with the WAN user by a mobile switching center. The current position of the mobile appliance is transmitted to a position location server over a WAN network. The position location server selects a serving access point that is accessible from and nearest to the current position of the mobile appliance. The position location server also determines the direction to the mobile appliance from the serving access point and transmits the direction to the serving access point. The serving access point controls its directional antenna so that it points in the direction of the mobile appliance and establishes a communication link with the mobile appliance to provide bandwidth on a WLAN network to the WAN user. This enables the WAN user to access and utilize a WLAN network for performing a task.  
       [0010] A system for providing bandwidth on demand to a WAN user from a WLAN access point comprising a WAN network having a plurality of cell sites and a WLAN network having a plurality of WLAN access points. Each WLAN access point includes at least one directional antenna. The system also includes a mobile appliance associated with the WAN user and in communication with a serving cell site. The serving cell site being one of said plurality of cell sites and the mobile switching center, connected to the WAN network, for determining a current position of the mobile appliance. The system further comprises at least one position location server, connected to the WAN network and the WLAN network, for receiving the current position of the mobile appliance from the mobile switching center over the WAN network, and selecting a WLAN access point that is accessible from and nearest to the current position of the mobile appliance to provide a serving WLAN access point. The serving WLAN access point establishes a communication link with the mobile appliance and provides a bandwidth on the WLAN network to the WAN user. This enables the WAN user to access and utilize the WLAN network for performing a task.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       [0012]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of wireless telecommunications network system incorporating a WAN;  
       [0013]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of wireless telecommunications network system incorporating a WLAN;  
       [0014]FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary process of registering a cell phone to a mobile switching center;  
       [0015]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary process of delivering calls to a WAN user roaming in the cellular communications system;  
       [0016]FIG. 5 illustrates a method of providing WLAN bandwidth on demand to a WAN user from a WLAN cell site in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
       [0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of WLAN enabled mobile appliance in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0018] Wireless Local Area Networks have been developed and are now used in offices, retail stores and large industrial facilities. WLANs provide data communication between computers, printers, servers and other devices without the trouble and expense of installing wires and cables. In addition to data communication, WLANs can provide voice communication between appliances on the WLAN.  
     [0019] The IEEE 802.11 standard is a standard for WLANs and represents a family of specifications developed for systems that operate in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band and the 5.0 GHz Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band. The ISM band is available worldwide and allows unlicensed operation of spread spectrum systems. Portions of the 5.0 GHz UNII band are available worldwide with various country-specific regulatory limitations. The IEEE 802.11 RF transmissions use multiple signaling schemes (modulations) at different data rates to deliver a single data packet between wireless systems. The IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN uses a band of frequencies near 2.4 Ghz to support data communication at up to 11 Mbps using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) modulation. The 802.11a wireless LAN uses frequencies near 5.0 GHz to support data communication at rates up to 54 Mbps using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).  
     [0020] Turning now to FIG. 1, cellular communications or wireless telecommunications network system  10  comprises WAN or network backbone  12 , which can be a hardwired data communication path made of twisted pair cable, shielded coaxial cable or fiber optic cable, for example, or may be wireless or partially wireless in nature. Coupled to WAN  12  is one or more fixed communication devices  17  and several access or cell sites  14 . Although two access or cell sites  14  are shown hardwired to network backbone  12 , it will be understood by those of skill in the art that one or several cell sites  14  can be coupled to network backbone  12  via a wired or wireless connection.  
     [0021] Each cell site  14  is capable of communicating wirelessly with mobile appliances  18 , such as cell phones, pagers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), email devices (e.g., BLACKBERRY™) and the like, in wireless communication system  10  via respective antennas commonly denoted by reference numeral  16 . A geographic cell (not shown) associated with each cell site  14  defines a region of coverage in which successful wireless communication may occur. Depending on the type of antenna  16  selected and output power of the respective cell site  14 , the geographic cell may take one of several different forms and sizes as is know in the art.  
     [0022] Mobile appliances  18 , each include antenna  19  for wirelessly communicating with other mobile appliances  18 . It is appreciated that the antenna  19  may be comprised of multiple antennas tuned for the respective operating frequencies. Each mobile appliance  18  can communicate with fixed communication devices  17  (such as telephone or computer connected to the PSTN or PSDN, an Internet server, etc.) and/or other mobile appliances  18  on network backbone  12  via selected cell site  14 . Upon roaming from one cell to another, mobile appliances  18  are configured to associate with a new cell site  14 . Mobile appliance  18  registers with a particular cell site  14  to obtain wireless access to network backbone  12 . Typically cell sites  14  and mobile appliances  18  in different cells can communicate with each other during the same time period, such that simultaneous communication is occurring in wireless system  10 .  
     [0023] Turning now to FIG. 2, wireless telecommunications network system  20  comprises WLAN  22 . WLAN  22  can be a hardwired data communication path made of twisted pair cable, shielded coaxial cable or fiber optic cable, for example, or may be wireless or partially wireless in nature. Coupled to WLAN  22  are one or more fixed communication devices  17  and several WLAN access points  24 . Although only two WLAN access points  24  are shown hardwired to WLAN  22 , several WLAN access points  24  can be coupled to WLAN  22  via a wired or wireless connection.  
     [0024] Each WLAN access point  24  is capable of communicating wirelessly with mobile appliances  18 , such as cell phones, pagers, PDAs, email devices (e.g., BLACKBERRY™), etc., in wireless communication system  20  via respective antennas commonly denoted by reference numeral  26 . Antenna  26  associated with each WLAN access point  24  is a steerable (either mechanically or electrically) directional antenna that can be directed to a particular position or direction, thereby facilitating uni-directional or bi-directional data transmission to a particular mobile appliance  18 . A geographic cell (not shown) associated with each WLAN access point  24  defines a region of coverage in which successful wireless communication may occur. Depending on the type of directional antenna  26  selected and output power of the respective WLAN access point  24 , the geographic cell may take one of several different forms and sizes.  
     [0025] Wireless system  20  also includes one or more mobile appliances  18 . Each mobile appliance  18  communicates with fixed communication devices  17  (such as telephone or computer connected to the PSTN or PSDN, an Internet server, etc.) and/or other mobile appliances  18  on WLAN  22  via selected WLAN access point  24 . Preferably, WLAN  22  conforms to the IEEE standard 802.11b “Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Physical Layer Specification”. Alternatively, WLAN  22  can employ the IEEE standard 802.11 “Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Physical Layer Specification” or IEEE standard 802.11a “Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Physical Layer Specification”.  
     [0026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, mobile appliance  18  includes circuitry and/or software to communicate over both WAN based network  10  and WLAN based network  20 . WAN based network  10  can be any type of cellular/wireless network, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, Personal Communication Services (PCS) network, Wide-Band (WCDMA) networks 3G networks, etc. It is appreciated that any mobile appliance or wireless communications device, including but not limited to a cell phone, data terminal, PDA, pager, and email device (e.g., BLACKBERRY™), can be used to practice the present invention.  
     [0027] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an aspect of the present invention wherein WLAN-enabled mobile appliance  18  is a cell phone. Cell phone  18  operates as a normal cellular phone over WAN based cellular network  10  in FIG. 1. When cell phone  18  is turned on, it sends a data message to the nearest cell site or base station  14 . The message generally contains the Mobile Identification Number (MIN) and the Electronic Serial Number (ESN). Cell site  14  forwards the MIN and ESN information to a switch or Mobile Switching Center (MSC)  30 , which is generally referred to as the serving mobile switching center. MSC  30  is connected to a WAN-based cellular network that can comprise PSTN  32  and Signaling System Seven (SS7) network  34 . Mobile switching center  30  compares the MIN with a table of all MINs in the WAN-based cellular network and determines which database contains the WAN or cellular user&#39;s profile. The database containing the WAN user profile is generally referred to as Home Location Register (HLR)  36  and the users associated with HLR  36  are generally referred to as the home customers or users. It is appreciated that HLR  36  for home customers can be integrated into the MSC  30  or stored on a separate platform.  
     [0028] MSC  30  sends the data message or registration to HLR  36  over SS7 network  34 , notifying HLR  36  that a WAN user or subscriber has requested service from MSC  30 . Upon receipt of the registration message from mobile switching center  30 , HLR  36  checks the MIN and the ESN contained in the registration message. If the MIN and ESN are determined to be valid, HLR  36  stores the location of cell phone  18  associated with the WAN user and transmits a return message containing the WAN user&#39;s profile to MSC  30 . The user profile includes information about the user&#39;s services (e.g., subscription plan) and features, such as call forwarding, call waiting, 3-way calling, etc.  
     [0029] Upon receipt of the return message from HLR  36 , MSC  30  generates a record in its Visitor Location Register (VLR)(not shown) to store the WAN user&#39;s profile. MSC  30  refers to the visitor location register associated with the WAN user as the WAN user makes and/or receives calls on the MSC  30 . As the WAN user roams from one cell site to another, cell phone  18  associated with the WAN user deregisters with MSC  30  of the previous cell site and registers with new MSC  30  associated with the new cell site. When HLR  36  receives a notification that the WAN user has moved to a different MSC  30  (i.e., different cell site), HLR  36  sends a message to previously registered MSC  30  to cancel or remove the WAN user&#39;s profile from the VLR.  
     [0030] Call delivery occurs when someone places a call to cell phone  18 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when someone dials the phone number of cell phone  18  from a wired telephone  44  connected to a local exchange switch  48 , the call is routed to the WAN user&#39;s home MSC  40  over PSTN  32 . WAN user&#39;s home MSC  40  transmits a query to HLR  36  over SS7 network  34  to determine the current location of cell phone  18 . HLR  36  can search its record to determine the current location of cell phone  18 . As noted herein, HLR  36  stores the location of cell phone  18  each time cell phone registers with a particular MSC and provides serving MSC  42  with WAN user&#39;s profile. HLR transmits a data message over SS7 network  34  to serving MSC  42  requesting a temporary number for routing the call to cell phone  18  registered with MSC  42 .  
     [0031] Serving MSC  42  associates a Temporary Local Directory Number (TLDN) with the WAN user and transmits the TLDN to HLR  36  over SS7 network  34 . It is appreciated that the TLDN is a regular telephone number that is routable through the PSTN  32 . For example, if the WAN user is roaming in New York City, the TLDN is a temporary New York City number. HLR  36  forwards the received TLDN to home mobile switching center  40 , which routes the call to serving mobile switching center&#39;s TLDN over PSTN  32 .  
     [0032] When serving mobile switching center  42  receives a call directed to the TLDN associated with the WAN user, serving mobile switching center  42  delivers the call to cell phone  18  via cell site  14 .  
     [0033] In addition to the normal cellular communication, cell phone  18  can communicate over WLAN-based network  20 , such as the Internet, via WLAN access points  24  employing the IEEE 802.11 standard. Cell phone  18  can access, browse or download files from the Internet or transmit/receive email messages over WLAN-based network  20 . It is appreciated that WLAN-based network  20  supports higher transmission rates than WAN-based network. The IEEE 802.11b WLAN-based network can support transmission rate of 11 Mbps and IEEE 802.11a WLAN-based network can support transmission rate of 54 Mbps. Whereas, typical WAN-based network can support transmission rates of only 20-50 Kbps. Accordingly, the present invention enables the WAN users to use their WLAN-enabled mobile appliances to obtain the desired WLAN bandwidth on demand from nearby WLAN access point  24 , thereby enabling the WAN users to utilize the higher transmission rates of WLAN-based network  20  to surf the Internet, download video and large data files, etc. It is appreciated that the WAN network provider can use the method and system described in co-pending application entitled “Method and System of Informing WAN User of Nearby WLAN Access Points”, Ser. No. ______ [attorney docket number 100111008-1], to determine if the WAN user is within communication range of one or more WLAN access points  24 .  
     [0034] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an example of a method of providing WLAN bandwidth on demand to the WAN user from WLAN access point or site (WLAN-AP)  24  is described in conjunction with FIG. 5. In step  1 , WAN user  52  receives a message from the WAN network provider or MSC  30  (FIG. 3) that there is an email with attachment. In step  2 , the network provider offers WAN user  52  the option of purchasing sufficient WLAN bandwidth from nearby WLAN access point  24  to perform a task, such as downloading e-mail attachment, sending email with attachment, sending video email, browsing the Internet, downloading web page or file from a web site and the like, using high speed WLAN network  20 , such as the Internet  20 . In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the network provider offers WLAN bandwidth on demand to WAN user  52  so that WAN user  52  can perform various tasks as noted herein. The network provider determines the current position of WAN user  52  and selects one or more nearby WLAN access points  24  based on the WAN user&#39;s current position. Preferably, the network provider selects WLAN access point  24  that is nearest to WAN user  52  (referred to herein as the serving WLAN access point or cell site) and transmits the attachment to WLAN-enabled mobile appliance  18 , such as a cell phone, an e-mail device, a PDA and the like, associated with WAN user  52  from serving WLAN access point  24  via its directional antenna  26 . It is appreciated that the network provider can use various known methods and systems to determine the current position of WAN user, such as, but not limited to, the Global Positioning System (GPS), the registration of WAN user  52  with a particular cell site  14  on WAN network  10 , automatic location identification associated with enhanced 911 (E911) service advanced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), etc.  
     [0035] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, steps  1  and  2  can alternatively involve WAN user  52  requesting the WLAN bandwidth on demand service from its WAN network provider to send an e-mail with an attachment, send video email, browse the Internet, download web page or file from a website, etc.  
     [0036] If WAN user  52  elects to utilize the WLAN bandwidth on demand service, then the network provider receives an offer acceptance message from WAN user  52  and determines the current position of WAN user  52  in step  3 . Alternatively, WAN user  52  can subscribe to this service in advance so that the network provider can determine the serving WLAN access point  24  and transmit the attachment to WAN user  52  if WAN user  52  has an email attachment and WLAN-enabled mobile appliance  18  associated WAN user  52  is within communication range of one of WLAN access points  24  of WLAN network  20 .  
     [0037] The network provider transmits the position information of WAN user  52  and the email attachment to WAN/WLAN position location server  50  over WAN network  10  in step  4 . WAN/WLAN position location server  50  searches WLAN position database  54  for WLAN access points  24  that can service WAN user  52  in his/her current position in step  5 . Although only one WAN/WLAN position location server  50  and only one WLAN position database  54  are shown connected to WAN network  10 , several WAN/WLAN position location servers  50  and WLAN position databases  54  can be coupled to WAN network  10  to provide, for example, robustness and redundancy.  
     [0038] Preferably, WAN/WLAN position location server  50  selects WLAN access point  24  that is nearest to WAN user  52  as serving WLAN access point  24  and determines the directions (e.g., south, northeast, etc.) to the WAN user&#39;s current position from serving WLAN access point  24 , i.e., the pointing instructions for directional antenna  26  of serving WLAN access point  24  in step  5 . Additionally, WAN/WLAN position location server  50  transmits the email attachment to serving WLAN access point  24  and the pointing instructions over WLAN network  20 , such as the Internet, in step  5 . Alternatively, the network provider can directly access WLAN position database  54  to retrieve the WLAN-AP location/direction information over WAN network  10  and transmits the email attachment along with the pointing instructions to WLAN access point  24  that is nearest to WAN user  52  over WLAN network  20  and a gateway or router (not shown) connecting WAN network  10  and WLAN network  20 . Preferably, the retrieved WLAN access points  24  are ordered or prioritized based on their proximity to the WAN user&#39;s current position, so that the network provider can select alternate WLAN access point  24  if WLAN access point  24  selected as the serving WLAN access point is out of service or unavailable.  
     [0039] Serving WLAN access point  24  controls its directional antenna  26  based on the received pointing instructions and transmits the email attachment to WLAN-enabled mobile appliance  18  associated with WAN user  52  to deliver the email attachment over high speed WLAN network  20  in step  6 . Also, WLAN-enabled mobile appliance  18  associated with WAN user  52  transmits a confirmation message to WAN/WLAN position location server  50  via serving WLAN access point  24  to acknowledge receipt of the email attachment in step  6 . If the confirmation message is not received by WAN/WLAN position location server  50  with a predetermined time, such as 30 seconds, 5 minutes, etc., or an error message is received from WLAN-enabled mobile appliance  18 , then WAN/WLAN position location server  50  instructs serving WLAN access point to retransmit the email attachment to WAN user  52 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, WAN/WLAN position location server  50  can vary the pre-determined time based on the size or bandwidth requirements of the e-mail attachment. Alternatively, WAN/WLAN position location server  50  can select alternate WLAN access point  24  as the new serving WLAN access point  24  to deliver the email attachment. That is, if a confirmation message is not received within the pre-determined time, WAN/WLAN position location server  50  selects new serving WLAN access point  24  and transmits the email attachment and the pointing instructions to new serving WLAN access point  24  over WLAN network  20 .  
     [0040] WAN/WLAN position location server  50  forwards the received confirmation message to the network operator over WAN network  10  in step  7  and the network operator charges or bills the WAN user account for the use of this service upon receipt of the confirmation message in step  8 . The network operator can bill WAN user  52  based on WLAN bandwidth usage or a predetermined amount for each time the service is used.  
     [0041] It is appreciated that a single WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  can be employed to communicate with WLAN access points  24  in communication with WLAN network  20  employing the IEEE 802.11 standard and cell sites  14  in communication with WAN network  10 . Turning now to FIG. 6, a schematic representation of WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  is shown according to one particular aspect of the present invention, wherein a processor  180  is operable to control the general operation of WLAN-enabled mobile appliance  18 . The processor  180  is programmable to control and operate the various components within WLAN enabled mobile appliance  18  in order to carry out the various functions described herein and other components (not shown) typically associated with mobile appliance  18 , such as a cell phone, a pager, an email device, a PDA and the like. It is appreciated that the processor or CPU  180  can be any known, available processor, microprocessor, micro-controller or other comparable device. The manner in which processor  180  can be programmed to carry out the functions relating to the present invention will be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.  
     [0042] WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance includes memory  182  which is connected to processor  180 . Memory  182  stores the program code executed by processor  180  for carrying out operating functions of WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  as described herein. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  comprises a first Radio Frequency (RF) module  183  connected to processor  180  for transmitting and receiving data from WLAN access points  24  in communication with WLAN network employing the IEEE 802.11 standard. RF module  183  includes RF receiver  184  and RF transmitter  185 . RF receiver  184  is operable to receive RF transmissions from WLAN access points  24  connected to WLAN network  20  via antenna  19  and demodulates the received signal to obtain digital information modulated therein. It is appreciated that the antenna  19  may be comprised of multiple antennas tuned for the respective operating frequencies. RF transmitter  185  is operable to transmit information to WLAN access points  24  connected to WLAN network  20 , for example, in response to an operator input at keypad (not shown). WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  also comprises a second RF module  186  connected to processor  180  for transmitting and receiving data from cell sites  14  connected to WAN network  10 . RF module  186  includes RF receiver  187  and RF transmitter  188 . RF receiver  187  is operable to receive RF transmissions from cell sites  14  connected to WAN network  10  via antenna  19  and demodulates the signal to obtain digital information modulated therein. RF transmitter  188  is operable to transmit information to cell sites  14  connected to WAN network  10 , for example, in response to an operator input at keypad (not shown) or the receipt of a registration request when WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  is turned on.  
     [0043] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  comprises one RF module  183  to transmit and receive data from both cell sites  14  connected to WLAN network  10  and WLAN access points  24  connected to WLAN network  20 . It is appreciated that RF module  183  may include additional circuitry or software to operate RF receiver  184  and RF transmitter  185  in dual-mode, i.e., WAN mode and WLAN mode.  
     [0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  comprises a position location device such as the GPS receiver  189  that is in communication via antenna  19  with a worldwide Middle Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite navigational system, i.e., a GPS system, to determine the current position of WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18 . Preferably, upon request, WLAN/WAN/Position Location-enabled mobile appliance  18  transmits its current position information to the network provider. It is appreciated that the antenna  19  may be comprised of multiple antennas tuned for the respective operating frequencies. It will be understood that references to a directional antenna include antennas that can be steered or pointed both mechanically or electronically.