Wireless digital network

Abstract

A wireless Integrated Services Digital Network ('WISDN') is disclosed. The WISDN replaces conventional wireless networks with a plurality of network elements including intelligent cellsites ('ICSs'), a central site controller ('CSC'), a billing aggregator and an operation and support system, all of which are interconnected to the public switched telephone network ('PSTN') via the integrated services digital network ('ISDN'). The ICSs communicate with users who request services via radio communication. The ICS in which a service requesting user is located interfaces the user with the ISDN, which terminates the user's call using traditional telephony switching methods. When a call to the user is initiated from a PSTN subscriber, the PSTN's service control point may access the CSC, which provides authentication services and routing information (such as the current location of the user) with which the PSTN terminates the call to the selected ICS. Registration techniques provide updates on the user's location. When the user moves out of the coverage area of the selected ICS, it initiates a hand off by sending messages, over the ISDN signalling channel, to surrounding ICSs requesting that each take a reading on the signal from the user. Reports are received from the surrounding ICSs and the selected ICS chooses a second ICS to which the call will be handed off.