Floating ip address for roaming internet connected subscriber units

Abstract

A system apparatus for wireless communication that includes receiving, receiving data for a subscriber, determining the subscriber to whom the data is addressed, determining which cell the subscriber currently resides, and transmitting the data accordingly.

1 . A cell site for providing wireless communication comprising:
 receiver for receiving a wired network address for a wireless station;   a memory for storing data associating the wired network address with the wireless station;   a processor for determining, based on the wired network address, whether the subscriber is located in a certain cell site, using a subscriber record retrieved from the memory, the wired network address being matched to the wireless station in the subscriber record; and   a transmitter for transmitting the wired network address to the wireless station.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request for a wired network address includes an identifier for the first cell site. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless network identifier is an electronic serial number (ESN). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 if the subscriber unit is located in the certain cell site, the transmitter sending the data, via a tunnel, to the certain cell site for wireless transmission.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the receiver receives handoff information for the wireless station from the certain cell site.