Layering of wireless packet data service

This invention relates generally to management techniques for a wireless communications network and, more particularly, to a system and method for layering a packet data service in the wireless communications network. A communications system and method that separates operational aspects of a packet data service to be provided on a wireless network into separate, independent state diagrams. The method first decomposes the communication service into several different service layers. The method then defines a dynamic behavior of the service layers and an interaction therebetween. Once the behavior and interaction between the layers is defined, the method creates a control element with which to coordinate the service layers.