System and method for locating a wireless local area network

摘要

A system and method for finding a wireless local area network, WLAN, when a mobile terminal is connected to a cellular network. A position associated with each WLAN operating within the coverage area of the cellular network is stored in a database. At predefined intervals or conditions, the system determines a current position of the mobile terminal, and determines whether the current position of the mobile terminal is close enough to a stored WLAN position for the mobile terminal to connect to the WLAN corresponding to the stored WLAN position. If so, a notification is sent to the mobile terminal indicating that the mobile terminal is within range of the identified WLAN. The mobile terminal then scans for the identified WLAN.