The invention provides persistent communication for address routed communication in an environment where the communication session address changes. The invention is appropriate for any address routed communication, and in particular to packet based (e.g., UDP/IP and TCP/IP) communications to mobile cellular units as the units transition or move between supporting cells. The invention provides a technique to store address information and transitory information related to the session to allow continuation of the session at the new address, thereby reducing or eliminating the need to set up the session at the new address. One application is for streaming multi-media sessions. Another application is for internet protocol (IP) telephony. The invention provides embodiments where the techniques are performed within the mobile unit, or performed in combination with a proxy server that is part of the supporting cellular system.