Apparatus and methods for networking omni-modal radio devices

Abstract

A network and method of operating a network of wireless service providers adapted to interact with a plurality of omni-modal wireless products within a given geographic area in a manner to permit the wireless service providers to “borrow” radio frequencies from other wireless service providers within the same geographic region. As a cellular service provider in a given region finds that one of its service areas or cells has become nearly or fully loaded, frequency could be borrowed from a competitor, such as a PCS provider serving the same region. Selected omni-modal wireless product users in the overloaded area would be told to switch their omni-modal to the “leased” frequency but to use the non-PCS communications protocol appropriate to the type of service desired by the user. Implementation of this method broadly within a given geographic region will have the effect of insuring that the available radio spectrum is used to its maximum capacity to serve the needs of the wireless users on a real time basis.

1. A radio frequency management system for reallocation of radio spectrum among a plurality of wireless communication networks using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and differing radio frequencies to communicate with a plurality of frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices each of which is responsive to portable radio device control signals to change its operating frequency and modulation protocol, comprising
 capacity detection means for generating a frequency request signal upon determining that a first wireless communication network operating using a first radio frequency spectrum allocated to said first wireless communication network and using a first modulation protocol, is at or near full capacity,    frequency reallocating means responsive to a frequency request signal for reassigning temporarily radio spectrum from a second wireless communication network operating using a second radio frequency spectrum allocated to said second wireless communication network and different from said first radio frequency spectrum and using second modulation protocol, to the first communication network determined by said capacity detection means to be at or near fill capacity, and    means for causing portable radio control signals in at least some of the frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices to change their operating frequency and modulation protocol to permit the portable radio devices so changed to communicate over the temporarily reassigned radio spectrum.    
     
     
       2. A radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 1 , further including a plurality of frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices for facilitating wireless communication over any one of a plurality of wireless communication networks at least some of which may be available and operating at a given time and location using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and over differing radio frequencies, each of which includes
 a frequency agile radio transceiver operating at any one frequency of a plurality of radio frequencies appropriate for each of the plurality of wireless communication networks, said one frequency selected in response to a frequency control signal,    a digital interface circuit for interconnecting said frequency agile radio transceiver with external digital signal processing devices to allow digital signal information to be sent and received over said frequency agile radio transceiver,    protocol agile operating circuit means for operating said frequency agile radio transceiver and said digital interface circuit in accordance with any one modulation protocol of a plurality of modulation protocols, said one modulation protocol selected in response to a protocol control signal, and    adaptive control means for determining which wireless communications networks are available at a given location and time, for accessing a selected wireless communication network and for generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user defined criteria to cause the device to communicate with the selected wireless communication network using a frequency and modulation protocol suitable for transmission of said digital signal information over said selected wireless communications network.    
     
     
       3. The radio frequency management system defined in  claim 2 , wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless communication network based on the least cost. 
     
     
       4. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said adaptive control manes selects the wireless communication network based on the quality of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network. 
     
     
       5. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless communication network based on the probability of being dropped from the network. 
     
     
       6. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless communication network based on the security of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network. 
     
     
       7. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless communication network based on prior experience with specific wireless communication networks. 
     
     
       8. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said adaptive control means selects the wireless communication network based on the combined determination of two or more of the following:
 the cost of using the wireless communication network,    the quality of the transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network,    prior experience with specific wireless communication networks,    the potential of being dropped from the network, or    the security of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network.    
     
     
       9. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said adaptive control means communicates with selected wireless communication networks to determine on a real time basis the operating characteristics of the corresponding wireless communication network. 
     
     
       10. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 2 , further including a modem means operating to perform at least one of modulation or demodulation of a carrier signal with user data. 
     
     
       11. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 10 , further including a data processor means for processing digital data transmitted over said frequency agile transceiver. 
     
     
       12. The radio frequency management system as defined in  claim 11  for use with wireless communication networks having call placement and call answering functions, wherein said data processor means causes said frequency agile transceiver to control telephone call placement and call answering functions over wireless communication networks having such telephone functions. 
     
     
       13. A method for reallocation of radio frequency spectrum among a plurality of wireless communication networks at least some of which may be available and operating at a given time and location using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and over differing radio frequencies to communicate with a plurality of frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices each of which is responsive to portable radio device control signals to change its operating frequency and modulation protocol, comprising the steps of
 generating a frequency request signal upon determining that a first wireless communication network is at or near full capacity,    reassigning temporarily in response to said frequency request signal radio spectrum from a wireless communication network utilizing less of its normally assigned radio frequency to the communication network determined to be at or near full capacity, and    causing portable radio control signals in at least some of the frequency and protocol agile portable radio devices to change their operating frequency and transmission protocol to permit the portable radio devices so changed to communicate over the temporarily reassigned radio spectrum.    
     
     
       14. A method as defined in  claim 13 , comprising the further steps of
 operating a frequency agile radio transceiver at any one frequency of a plurality of radio frequencies appropriate for each of the plurality of wireless communication networks, said one frequency selected in response to a frequency control signal,    interconnecting said frequency agile radio transceiver with external digital signal processing devices to allow digital signal information to be sent and received over said frequency agile radio transceiver,    operating said frequency agile radio transceiver in accordance with any one modulation protocol of a plurality of modulation protocols, said one modulation protocol selected in response to a protocol control signal, and    determining which wireless communications networks are available at a given location and time and accessing a selected wireless communication network by generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user defined criteria to cause the device to communicate with the selected wireless communication network using a frequency and modulation protocol suitable for transmission of said digital signal information over said selected wireless communications network.    
     
     
       15. The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting the wireless communication network is based on the least cost. 
     
     
       16. The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting the wireless communication network is based on the quality of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network. 
     
     
       17. The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting the wireless communication network is based on the probability of being dropped from the network. 
     
     
       18. The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting the wireless communication network is based on the security of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network. 
     
     
       19. The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting the wireless communication network is based on prior experience with specific wireless communication networks. 
     
     
       20. The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said step of selecting the wireless communication network is based on the combined determination of two or more of the following:
 the cost of using the wireless communication network,    the quality of the transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network,    prior experience with specific wireless communication networks,    the probability of being dropped from the network, or    the security of the radio transmission link connecting said frequency agile transceiver and the selected wireless communication network.    
     
     
       21. The method as defined in  claim 14 , further including the step of engaging in an electronic handshake with selected wireless communication networks to determine on a real time basis the cost for desired services and the operating characteristics of the corresponding wireless communication network. 
     
     
       22. The method as defined in  claim 14 , further including the step of causing said frequency agile transceiver to control telephone call placement and call answering functions over wireless communication networks having such telephone functions. 
     
     
       23. A radio frequency management system for providing information useful in selecting among a plurality of wireless communication networks having different and variable operating characteristics and accessed by a plurality of portable radio devices each of which is capable of accessing any of the plurality of wireless communication networks comprising:
 wireless communication network monitoring means for monitoring the current network load of each of the plurality of wireless communication networks;    processing means connected with said network monitoring means for receiving a signal indicative of said current network load and for generating a signal representing current operational characteristics of each of the wireless communications networks in response thereto;    network information transmission means connected with said processing means for receiving said signal and for transmitting said operational characteristics for each of the plurality of wireless communication networks to each of the plurality of portable radio devices thereby allowing each of the portable wireless devices to selectively access one of said plurality of wireless communications networks in response to said operational characteristics.    
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 23  wherein said operation characteristics include the cost for use of the wireless communication network. 
     
     
       25. A method, performed by a first wireless service provider operating within a given geographic region, for ensuring that radio spectrum available within the given geographic region is used efficiently, thereby enabling the first wireless service provider to better serve the communication needs of a user having a frequency agile wireless device, the method comprising:
   establishing an agreement or relationship with a second wireless service provider operating within the given geographic region, wherein, under the agreement or relationship, the second wireless service provider agrees to allow the first wireless service provider to temporarily borrow radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider so that the first wireless service provider can provide a communication service to the user; and        temporarily borrowing radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider under the terms of the agreement or relationship.     
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of:
   receiving a request for service transmitted to the first wireless service provider from the user's frequency agile wireless device; and        using the borrowed radio spectrum to provide the service requested by the user.     
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of determining whether the requested service can be provided to the user using radio spectrum licensed to the first wireless service provider prior to borrowing using radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the user's frequency agile wireless device a message directing the frequency agile wireless device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using said borrowed radio spectrum. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 26 , wherein said borrowed radio spectrum is not used by the second wireless service provider for network control. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of transmitting, after the first wireless service provider is done using said borrowed radio spectrum, a message to the second wireless service provider indicating that the first wireless service provider is done using said borrowed radio spectrum. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 25 , wherein, under the agreement or relationship, the first wireless service provider agrees to allow the second wireless service provider to temporarily borrow radio spectrum licensed to the first wireless service provider so that the second wireless service provider can provide a communication service to a user. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 25 , wherein a protocol used by the first wireless service provider to communicate with wireless devices is different from a protocol used by the second wireless service provider to communicate with wireless devices. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first wireless service provider uses a TDMA protocol and the second wireless service provider uses a CDMA protocol. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 32 , wherein the user's wireless device is protocol and frequency agile, and the method further includes the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the user's frequency and protocol agile wireless device a message directing the device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using said protocol used by the first wireless service provider. 
     
     
       35. A method, performed by a first wireless service provider operating within a given geographic region, for ensuring that radio spectrum available within the given geographic region is used efficiently, thereby enabling the first wireless service provider to better serve the communication needs of a user having a frequency agile wireless device, the method comprising:
   establishing an agreement or relationship with a second wireless service provider operating within the given geographic region, wherein, under the agreement or relationship, the second wireless service provider agrees that, under pre - determined conditions, it will temporarily transfer to the first wireless service provider a right to use radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider to provide service to the user of the first wireless service provider; and        accepting, from the second wireless service provider, the transfer of the temporary right to use radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider.     
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 35 , further comprising the steps of:
   receiving a request for service transmitted to the first wireless service provider from the user's frequency agile wireless device; and        using a portion of the radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider to provide the service requested by the user after accepting, from the second wireless service provider, the transfer of the temporary right to use the radio spectrum portion.     
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of determining whether the requested service can be provided to the user using radio spectrum licensed to the first wireless service provider prior to accepting, from the second wireless service provider, the transfer of the temporary right to use radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 37 , further comprising the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the user's frequency agile wireless device a message directing the frequency agile wireless device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using said portion of the radio spectrum licensed to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 36 , wherein said portion of the radio spectrum is not used by the second wireless service provider for network control. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of transmitting, after the first wireless service provider is done using said portion of the radio spectrum, a message to the second wireless service provider indicating that the first wireless service provider is done using said portion of the radio spectrum. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 35 , wherein, under the agreement or relationship, the first wireless service provider agrees that, under pre- determined conditions, it will temporarily transfer to the second wireless service provider a right to use radio spectrum licensed to the first wireless service provider to provide service to a user.   
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 35 , wherein a protocol used by the first wireless service provider to communicate with wireless devices is different from a protocol used by the second wireless service provider to communicate with wireless devices. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 42 , wherein the protocol used by the first wireless service provider is the TDM protocol and the protocol used by the second wireless service provider is the CDMA protocol. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 42 , wherein the user's wireless device is protocol and frequency agile, and the method further includes the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the user's frequency and protocol agile wireless device a message directing the device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using said protocol used by the first wireless service provider. 
     
     
       45. A method, performed by a first wireless service provider operating within a given geographic region, for ensuring that radio spectrum available within the given geographic region is used efficiently so as to serve a service need of a customer of the first wireless service provider, wherein the customer has a frequency agile wireless device, the method comprising:
   establishing an agreement with a second wireless service provider operating within the given geographic region, wherein, under the agreement, the second wireless service provider agrees to allow the first wireless service provider to use radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider to provide service to customers of the first wireless service provider;        receiving a request for service transmitted to the first wireless service provider from the customer's frequency agile wireless device; and        using a portion of the radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider to provide the service requested by the customer.     
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of determining whether the requested service can be provided to the customer using radio spectrum allocated to the first wireless service provider prior to using radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 45 , wherein, under the agreement, the first wireless service provider agrees to allow the second wireless service provider to use radio spectrum allocated to the first wireless service provider to provide service to customers of the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the customer's frequency agile wireless device a message directing the frequency agile wireless device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using said portion of the radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 45 , wherein said portion of the radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider is not used by the second wireless service provider for network control. 
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of transmitting, after the first wireless service provider is done using said portion of the radio spectrum, a message to the second wireless service provider indicating that the first wireless service provider is done using said portion of the radio spectrum. 
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of transmitting a message to the second wireless service provider indicating that the first wireless service provider is using or would like to use said portion of the radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 45 , wherein a protocol used by the first wireless service provider to communicate with its customer's wireless devices is different from a protocol used by the second wireless service provider to communicate with its customer's wireless devices. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 52 , wherein the protocol used by the first wireless service provider to communicate with its customer's wireless devices is the TDM protocol and the protocol used by the second wireless service provider to communicate with its customer's wireless devices is the CDMA protocol. 
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 52 , wherein the customer's wireless device is protocol and frequency agile, and the method further includes the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the customer's frequency and protocol agile wireless device a message directing the device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using said protocol used by the first wireless service provider. 
     
     
       55. In an environment where a first wireless service provider operating within a given geographic area has been allocated a first portion of the radio frequency spectrum and a second wireless service provider operating within the given geographic area has been allocated a second portion of the radio frequency spectrum, a method performed by the first wireless service provider for ensuring that, within the given geographic region, the radio frequency spectrum is used efficiently, the method comprising:
   receiving from the second wireless service provider permission to use the second portion of the radio frequency spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider to provide service to a user having a frequency agile wireless device;        receiving a request for service transmitted to the first wireless service provider from the user's frequency agile wireless device; and        using the second portion of the radio frequency spectrum to provide the requested service to the user.     
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of determining whether the requested service can be provided to the user using said radio frequency spectrum allocated to the first wireless service provider prior to using said second portion of the radio frequency spectrum. 
     
     
       57. The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of giving permission to the second wireless service provider to use the first portion of the radio frequency spectrum allocated to the first wireless service provider to provide service to a user. 
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the user's frequency agile wireless device a message directing the frequency agile wireless device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using a portion of said second portion of the radio frequency spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 55 , wherein said portion of said second portion of the radio frequency spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider is not used by the second wireless service provider for network control. 
     
     
       60. The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of transmitting, after the first wireless service provider is done using said portion of said second portion of the radio frequency spectrum, a message to the second wireless service provider indicating that the first wireless service provider is done using said portion of the radio frequency spectrum. 
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of transmitting a message to the second wireless service provider indicating that the first wireless service provider is using or would like to use said portion of said second portion of the radio spectrum allocated to the second wireless service provider. 
     
     
       62. The method of  claim 55 , wherein a protocol used by the first wireless service provider to communicate with wireless communication devices is different from a protocol used by the second wireless service provider to communicate with wireless communication devices. 
     
     
       63. The method of  claim 62 , wherein the protocol used by the first wireless service provider is the TDM protocol and the protocol used by the second wireless service provider is the CDMA protocol. 
     
     
       64. The method of  claim 62 , wherein the user's wireless device is protocol and frequency agile, and the method further includes the step of transmitting from the first wireless service provider to the user's frequency and protocol agile wireless device a message directing the device to configure itself to communicate with the first wireless service provider using said protocol used by the first wireless service provider. 
     
     
       65. A method for participating in a radio spectrum market to promote the efficient use of radio spectrum by a first wireless network and a plurality of other wireless networks operating in overlapping geographic areas using communication protocols which may differ and to whom corresponding portions of the radio spectrum have been licensed, respectively, by a governmental authority, for exclusion use and/or control by each wireless network to provide wireless services to a plurality of subscribers of the corresponding wireless network having wireless access devices capable of accessing the corresponding wireless network using radio spectrum and a communication protocol appropriate to the corresponding wireless network and wherein the method comprises the steps of
   establishing a business arrangement between the first wireless network and one or more of the other wireless networks participating in the market under which the right to use licensed radio spectrum may be transferred from one wireless network to another wireless network participating in the business arrangement; and        performing at least one of the following steps:      i. periodically transferring the right to use radio spectrum, licensed to the first wireless network, to a second wireless network pursuant to the business arrangement for expanding the capacity of the second wireless network to grant access to the subscribers of the second wireless network using the transferred radio spectrum and the communication protocol employed by the second wireless network, and        ii. periodically accepting a transfer of the right to use radio spectrum, licensed to a second wireless network, to the first wireless network pursuant to the business arrangement for expanding the capacity of the first wireless network to grant access to the subscribers of the first wireless network using the transferred radio spectrum and the communication protocol employed by the first wireless network.       
     
     
       66. The method as defined by  claim 65  wherein the first wireless network and at least some of the other wireless networks participating in the market employ a portion of the corresponding licensed radio spectrum for network control, and wherein the steps of transferring radio spectrum to another wireless network and accepting the transfer of radio spectrum are restricted to licensed radio spectrum that is not used for network control. 
     
     
       67. The method as defined by  claim 65 , wherein at least some of the wireless access devices used by subscribers to access a wireless network participating in the business arrangement are both frequency and protocol agile, and wherein the method further includes the step of allowing subscribers who use such frequency and protocol agile devices to access any one of the networks for which the subscriber's access device is able to operate using the frequency and communication protocol appropriate to the network being accessed to further promote the efficient use of the radio spectrum by the participating wireless networks. 
     
     
       68. The method as defined in  claim 67 , wherein the wireless networks offer network services which may differ in any one or more of signal strength, quality of signal, likelihood of being dropped, cost and security and wherein the efficient use of the radio spectrum by the participating wireless networks is promoted by the further step of providing the wireless access devices with the ability to automatically access the wireless network that best provides the type of service desired by the subscriber. 
     
     
       69. The method as defined in  claim 65 , wherein the wireless access devices may be preprogrammed by the user to use a changeable criteria for selecting among the wireless networks available for access and wherein the method includes the step of reprogramming the wireless access devices by corresponding subscribers to cause the corresponding access device to automatically access the wireless network that best meets the preprogrammed criteria of the subscriber. 
     
     
       70. The method as defined in  claim 65 , wherein the wireless networks convey operating information to the access devices relating to characteristics of the wireless services offered by the network and wherein the method includes the step of allowing subscribers to select the wireless network for access based on the characteristics of the wireless services offered by the network. 
     
     
       71. The method as defined in  claim 70 , wherein the wireless access devices may be preprogrammed by the user to use a changeable criteria for selecting automatically among the wireless networks available for access based on the operating information conveyed to the access devices by the wireless networks and wherein the method further includes the step of preprogramming the wireless access devices by corresponding subscribers to cause the access device to automatically access the wireless network that meets the preprogrammed criteria of the subscriber. 
     
     
       72. The method as defined in  claim 70 , wherein the wireless networks convey variable cost of service information to access devices within the geographic area serviced by the network and wherein the method includes the step of allowing each wireless network to establish a price for providing the requested network access to achieve a desired amount of network utilization. 
     
     
       73. The method as defined in  claim 70 , wherein the method includes the step of providing the operating information by electronically posting the operating information so that it may be obtained when accessed by each access device which seeks the information. 
     
     
       74. The method as defined in  claim 73 , further including the step of wirelessly providing information regarding operating characteristics of the wireless networks to the access devices including information regarding one or more of signal quality, cost, likelihood of being dropped, and security. 
     
     
       75. The method as defined in  claim 70 , wherein the method includes the step of posting the operating information including one or more of: likelihood of being dropped, cost and security pertaining to competing wireless networks. 
     
     
       76. A method for participating in a radio spectrum market to promote the efficient use of radio spectrum by a first wireless network and a plurality of other wireless networks operating in overlapping geographic areas and to whom corresponding portions of the radio spectrum have been licensed, respectively, by a governmental authority, for exclusive use and/or control by each wireless network wherein a portion of the radio spectrum licensed to each wireless network is used for network control to provide wireless services to a plurality of subscribers of the corresponding wireless network having wireless access devices capable of accessing the corresponding wireless network using radio spectrum appropriate to the corresponding wireless network and wherein the method comprises the steps of
   establishing a business arrangement with one or more of the other wireless networks participating in the market under which the right to use licensed radio spectrum may be transferred from one wireless network to another wireless network participating in the business arrangement; and        performing at least one of the following steps:      i. periodically transferring the right to use radio spectrum, licensed to the first wireless network and not used for wireless network control, to a second wireless network pursuant to the business arrangement for expanding the capacity of the second wireless network to grant access to the subscribers of the second wireless network using the transferred radio spectrum, and        ii. periodically accepting a transfer of the right to use radio spectrum, licensed to a second wireless network and not used for wireless network control, to the first wireless network pursuant to the business arrangement for expanding the capacity of the first wireless network to grant access to the subscribers of the first wireless network using the transferred radio spectrum.       
     
     
       77. The method as defined by  claim 76 , wherein some of the wireless networks operate on different communication protocols and at least some of the wireless access devices used by subscribers to access a wireless network participating in the business arrangement are both frequency and protocol agile, and wherein the method further includes the step of allowing subscribers who use such frequency and protocol agile devices to access any one of the networks for which the subscriber's access device is able to operate using the frequency and communication protocol appropriate to the network being accessed to further promote the efficient use of the radio spectrum by the participating wireless networks. 
     
     
       78. The method as defined in  claim 77 , wherein the wireless networks offer network services which may differ in any one or more of signal strength, quality of signal, likelihood of being dropped, cost and security and wherein the efficient use of the radio spectrum by the participating wireless networks is promoted by the further step of providing the wireless access devices with the ability to automatically access the wireless network that best provides the type of service desired by the subscriber. 
     
     
       79. The method as defined in  claim 77 , wherein the wireless access devices may be preprogrammed by the user to use a changeable criteria for selecting among the wireless networks available for access and wherein the method includes the step of reprogramming the wireless access devices by corresponding subscribers to cause the corresponding access device to automatically access the wireless network that best meets the preprogrammed criteria of the subscriber. 
     
     
       80. The method as defined in  claim 76 , wherein the wireless networks convey operating information to the access devices relating to characteristics of the wireless services offered by the network and wherein the method includes the step of allowing subscribers to select the wireless network for access based on the characteristics of the wireless services offered by the network. 
     
     
       81. The method as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the wireless access devices may be preprogrammed by the user to use a changeable criteria for selecting automatically among the wireless networks available for access based on the operating information conveyed to the access devices by the wireless networks and wherein the method further includes the step of preprogramming the wireless access devices by corresponding subscribers to cause the access device to automatically access the wireless network that best meets the preprogrammed criteria of the subscriber. 
     
     
       82. The method as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the wireless networks convey variable cost of service information to access devices within the geographic area serviced by the network and wherein the method includes the step of allowing each wireless network to establish a price for providing the requested network access to achieve a desired amount of network utilization. 
     
     
       83. The method as defined in  claim 80 , wherein the method includes the step of providing the operating information by electronically posting the operating information so that it may be obtained when accessed by each access device which seeks the information. 
     
     
       84. The method as defined in  claim 83 , wherein the method includes the step of posting the operating information including one or more of: likelihood of being dropped, cost and security pertaining to competing wireless networks. 
     
     
       85. The method as defined in  claim 83 , further including the step of wirelessly providing information regrading operating characteristics of the wireless networks to the access devices including information regarding one or more of signal quality, cost, likelihood of being dropped, and security. 
     
     
       86. A method for operating a radio spectrum market to promote the efficient use of radio spectrum by a plurality of wireless networks operating in overlapping geographic areas and to whom corresponding portions of the radio spectrum have been licensed, respectively, by a governmental authority, for exclusive use and/or control by each wireless network of the corresponding portion of the radio spectrum to provide wireless services to a plurality of subscribers of the corresponding wireless network having wireless access devices capable of accessing the corresponding wireless network using radio spectrum appropriate to the corresponding wireless network and allowing subscribers to select the wireless network for access based on operating information relating to the wireless services offered by the network and wherein the method comprises the steps of
   establishing a business arrangement among two or more of the wireless networks participating in the market under which the right to use licensed radio spectrum may be transferred from one wireless network to another wireless network participating in the business arrangement;        conveying operating information to the access devices relating to the wireless services offered by each wireless network; and        periodically transferring the right to use radio spectrum, licensed to one of the wireless networks, to a second wireless network pursuant to the business arrangement for expanding the capacity of the second wireless network to grant access to the subscribers of the second wireless network using the transferred radio spectrum in response to more subscribers choosing to access the second wireless network based on the operating information conveyed to the access devices regrading the second wireless network.     
     
     
       87. The method as defined by  claim 86 , wherein some of the wireless networks operate on different communication protocols and at least some of the wireless access devices used by subscribers to access a wireless network participating in the business arrangement are both frequency and protocol agile, and wherein the method further includes the step of allowing subscribers who use such frequency and protocol agile devices to access any one of the networks for which the subscriber's access device is able to operate using the frequency and communication protocol appropriate to the network being accessed to further promote the efficient use of the radio spectrum by the participating wireless networks. 
     
     
       88. The method as defined in  claim 87 , wherein the operating information includes any one or more of signal strength, quality of signal, likelihood of being dropped, cost and security and wherein the efficient use of the radio spectrum by the participating wireless networks is promoted by the further step of providing the wireless access devices with the ability to automatically compare the operating information with a preprogrammed criteria entered by the subscriber. 
     
     
       89. The method as defined in  claim 86 , wherein operating information include the cost of providing wireless service by each network and wherein the method includes the set of allowing each wireless network to establish a price for providing the requested wireless service to achieve a desired amount of network utilization. 
     
     
       90. The method as defined in  claim 86 , wherein the method includes the step of conveying the operating information by electronically posting the operating information so that it may be obtained when accessed by each access device which seeks the information. 
     
     
       91. The method as defined in  claim 86 , wherein the method includes the step of posting the operating information including one or more of: likelihood of being dropped, cost and security pertaining to competing wireless networks. 
     
     
       92. The method as defined in  claim 86 , further including the step of wirelessly conveying the operating information to the access devices including information.