Patent ID: 7738832

Claim:
A method for operating a wireless communications network, comprising operations of: base stations each providing broadcast content to one or more wireless subscriber-stations over one or more communication channels each having one of the following types: a shared channel for use by multiple subscriber-stations, an individual channel dedicated for use by an individual subscriber-station; and in response to a subscriber-station transitioning from a first base station using one type of communication channel type to a second base station using another type of communication channel, the first base station assisting the subscriber-station in establishing communications with the second base station including assisting the subscriber-station in transitioning to a different type of communication channel; wherein the first base station uses an individual channel and the second base station uses a shared channel, further wherein the first base station assisting the subscriber-station comprises: the first base station causing the subscriber station to undergo a traffic handoff to the second base station; and the first base station handing off a signaling portion of a broadcast connection to the second base station, but not handing off a content portion of the broadcast connection to the second base station.