Patent ID: 7817589

Claim:
A method of making a mobile, integrated communications system that creates a self-supported broadband communications network, the method comprising: providing one or more support members; coupling together a plurality of commercial off-the-shelf components, wherein the plurality of commercial off-the shelf components are carried by the one or more support members; operatively coupling a management subsystem to the plurality of off-the-shelf components, wherein a first portion of the plurality of off-the-shelf components and the management subsystem are configured to establish the self-supported broadband communications network independent of a communications system external to the mobile, integrated communications system; providing a connection subsystem defined by at least a second portion of the plurality of off-the-shelf components and configured to provide a user with a connection to the self-supported broadband communications network; and providing a housing for receiving the plurality of off-the-shelf components and the one or more support members, wherein the one or more support members can be moved relative to the housing, and the housing is transportable with the plurality of off-the-shelf components and the support members as a unit.