Method and apparatus for mobile broadband wireless communications

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distributing electronic media to near stationary users, such as in-vehicle users or other mobile users, using short-range high speed wireless access techniques. A content provider stores electronic media at one or more wireless servers positioned at the edge of a network, such as the Internet. The wireless servers transfer the electronic media to one or more subscriber wireless devices using unlicensed frequency bands at relatively short ranges. The wireless servers are generally positioned at convenient locations where users tend to congregate. Media can be cached at desired wireless servers within the distributed mobile broadband network and downloaded to the subscriber wireless devices at the designated locations and subsequently played at the convenience of the user. The caching of content at distributed locations and the use of fast short-range wireless access techniques to near stationary users provide a distributed localized broadband wireless service area that enables the rapid download of large amounts of media content.