Apparatus and method for establishing a priority call

Abstract

Apparatus, and an associated method, for a fixed wireless access communication system, by which to initiate a call to an emergency dispatch center, or other priority call to a priority location. When communication resources are initially unavailable to permit establishment of the call, normal call set-up procedures are emulated at a subscriber station from which the call is to be originated. Communication resources are reallocated in the communication system to permit the establishment of the call and the call is thereafter established.

1 .- 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . For use in a multi-user wireless communication system in which a plurality of subscriber stations are operable to communicate with a network infrastructure to which a correspondent node is coupled, an apparatus for allocating communication resources to a selected one of the plurality of subscriber stations, said apparatus comprising: 
 a message generator for receiving from the selected subscriber station an indication of an origination of a first communication session and, in response to the received indication, for generating a first message for communication to the network infrastructure to initiate communication session procedures precursing a request to establish the first communication session between the selected subscriber station and the correspondent node;    a response detector for receiving from the network infrastructure a second message responsive to the first message and determining whether the second message indicates communication resources are available to establish the first communication session; and    a resource reallocator coupled to the response detector and operable, in response to a determination by the response detector that communication resources are not available to establish the first communication session, to reallocate to the first communication session other communication resources used in a second communication session associated with a second subscriber station.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the other communication resources are reallocated to the first communication session according to a first priority level associated with the first communication session.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the first priority level comprises a subscriber priority level associated with a subscribed service of the selected subscriber station.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the first priority level comprises a service type priority level associated with the first communication session.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the service type priority level comprises an emergency service priority level.