PUSH-TO-TALK-OVER-CELLULAR (PoC) SERVICE IN HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS (HETNETS) AND MULTIMODE SMALL CELL ENVIRONMENTS

摘要

A system and method for supporting multiple simultaneous connections to different access networks for use in Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC). One or more servers interface to a plurality of wireless communications networks to perform advanced voice services for mobile units therein, including the PoC call session. The servers and mobile units communicate with each other using control messages, and the servers switch voice frames between the mobile units. At least one of the servers manages the PoC call session by acting as an arbitrator, and controls the sending of the control messages and the voice frames to and from the mobile units. At least one of the mobile units and at least one of the servers use multiple simultaneous connections to the plurality of wireless communications networks to communicate with each other.