Network and system for providing wireless communication services

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved network and system for a wireless communication system. The improved business method, operations method, network and system of the present invention includes the steps of delivering cellular services to the mass market, reducing peak capacity, increasing overall capacity utilization, improving capital utilization, providing an “all-you-can-eat” pricing model, and designing capacity based upon where the users live, work, and play.

1 . A wireless communications system, adapted to capacity rather than geographic coverage of the wireless communications system, comprising: 
 an average level of Erlangs per subscriber greater than about 0.03;    a building penetration margin adapted to secure in-building penetration; and    an increased capacity utilization in a restrained geographic area, relative to wireless communications systems designed for geographic coverage.    
     
     
         2 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , wherein the average level of Erlangs per subscriber is greater than or equal to about 0.04.  
     
     
         3 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , wherein the average level of Erlangs per subscriber is greater than or equal to about 0.05.  
     
     
         4 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , wherein the average level of Erlangs per subscriber is greater than or equal to about 0.055.  
     
     
         5 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , wherein the building penetration margin is greater than or equal to about 12 dB.  
     
     
         6 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , wherein the building penetration margin is greater than or equal to about 15 dB.  
     
     
         7 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , wherein the building penetration margin is greater than or equal to about 18 dB.  
     
     
         8 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a covered population per site of greater than or equal to about 4,000.  
     
     
         9 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a covered population per site of greater than or equal to about 6,000.  
     
     
         10 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a covered population per site of greater than or equal to about 8,000.  
     
     
         11 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a covered population per site of greater than or equal to about 10,000.  
     
     
         12 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a frame error rate of less than or equal to about 1%.  
     
     
         13 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a frame error rate of less than or equal to about 2%.  
     
     
         14 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a frame error rate of less than or equal to about 3%.  
     
     
         15 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more base stations, said base stations comprising more than one carrier frequency on the date said base stations became operational.  
     
     
         16 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more base stations, said base stations comprising more than one carrier frequency within three months of the date said base stations became operational.  
     
     
         17 . The wireless communications system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a competitive price for unlimited access to wireless communications services provided by the wireless communications system, wherein said competitive price comprises a flat rate charge.  
     
     
         18 . A wireless communications system, adapted to capacity rather than geographic coverage of the wireless communications system, comprising: 
 an average level of Erlangs per subscriber greater than about 0.03;    a building penetration margin adapted to secure in-building penetration;    a covered population per site greater than or equal to about 5,000; and    an increased capacity utilization in a restrained geographic area, relative to wireless communications systems designed for geographic coverage.    
     
     
         19 . A wireless communications system, adapted to capacity rather than geographic coverage of the wireless communications system, comprising: 
 an average level of Erlangs per subscriber greater than about 0.03;    a building penetration margin adapted to secure in-building penetration;    a covered population per site greater than or equal to about 5,000;    one or more base stations comprising more than one carrier frequency within three months of the date said base stations became operational; and    an increased capacity utilization in a restrained geographic area, relative to wireless communications systems designed for geographic coverage.    
     
     
         20 . A method for providing a wireless communications system adapted to capacity rather than geographic coverage of the wireless communications system, comprising: 
 charging a user of the wireless communications system a flat rate for a period of time;    allowing the user unlimited access to wireless communications services offered by the wireless communications system during the period of time;    maintaining an average level of Erlangs per subscriber greater than about 0.03;    maintaining a building penetration margin adapted to secure in-building penetration;    maintaining a covered population per site greater than or equal to about 5,000; and    providing one or more base stations comprising more than one carrier frequency within three months of the date said base stations became operational.    
     
     
         21 . A method for providing a wireless communications system adapted to capacity rather than geographic coverage of the wireless communications system, comprising: 
 determining a flat rate charge for wireless communications services provided by the wireless communications system;    determining a period of time within which the flat rate charge shall apply;    determining the user's charge based upon the flat rate for the period of time;    providing unlimited access to the wireless communications services for the flat rate during the period of time;    receiving payment of the charge substantially before the wireless communications services are rendered to the subscriber;    providing the wireless communications services primarily in limited geographic areas in which the user substantially lives, works, and plays;    rendering the charges to the user in a billing statement that does not include detailed call records;    maintaining an average level of Erlangs per subscriber greater than about 0.03;    maintaining a building penetration margin adapted to secure in-building penetration;    maintaining a covered population per site greater than or equal to about 5,000; and    providing one or more base stations comprising more than one carrier frequency within three months of the date said base stations became operational.