Presented is a method and apparatus for selectively using a local area network and a wide area network in a hybrid network system. A mobile unit receives information, for example positioning information from Global Positioning System satellites. Upon receiving information, the mobile unit associates the information with either a WAN category or a LAN category. Information in the WAN category are transmitted to a WAN computer via a wide area network and information in the LAN category is transmitted to a LAN computer via a local area network. A user may specify which network he wants to use. Alternatively, the mobile unit may be programmed with criteria by which it can categorize the received information. The WAN computer and the LAN computer may be coupled, allowing a user to access the LAN computer via the WAN or the WAN computer via the LAN.