WIRELESS COMMUNICATION VIA A TUNNEL THROUGH A SERVING ACCESS NETWORK
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for wireless communication with a non-serving access network via a tunnel through a serving access network. The method includes establishing a tunnel through a serving network to a target network independent of a handoff. The method then provides for communicating via the tunnel between a mobile station and the target network.
1 . A method for wireless communication via a tunnel with a non-serving access network through a serving access network, the method comprising:
establishing a tunnel through a serving network to a target network independent of a handoff; and
communicating via the tunnel between a mobile station and the target network.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing a dormant packet data session on the target network;
wherein communicating comprises re-activating the dormant packet data session.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein communicating comprises forwarding a page and transmitting paging information to a mobile station via the tunnel.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein communicating comprises responding to a page via the tunnel.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein communicating comprises:
forwarding a page and transmitting paging information to a mobile station via the tunnel; and
responding to the page by handing off and then transmitting the reply via an air interface of the target network.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein communicating comprises exchanging data via the tunnel.
7 . A base station in a serving access network for wireless communication via a tunnel between a mobile station and a non-serving access network, the base station comprising:
a processor configured for establishing a tunnel through the serving network to a target network independent of a handoff, the processor also configured for providing communications via the tunnel between a mobile station and the target network.
8 . A mobile station configured for wirelessly communicating with a non-serving access network via a tunnel in a serving network, the mobile station comprising:
a processor configured for connecting to an established tunnel through the serving network to a target network independent of a handoff, the processor also configured for providing communications via the tunnel to the target network