Patent ID: 6259921
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method of routing a call between a mobile first terminal and a second terminal in a global telecommunications network, it being possible for said call to be routed in said global network a) at least in part through a satellite telecommunications network using base stations giving access to satellites, and b) at least in part through a terrestrial telecommunications network connected to said base stations, said call being routed via a base station that minimizes the routing distance over which said call travels through said terrestrial telecommunications network, said method being characterized in that, prior to setting up each said call, said method includes a location updating step in which the location of the first terminal is updated as being in the coverage area associated with the base station that is closest to said second terminal and which minimizes the routing distance over which the call travels through said terrestrial telecommunications network, the updated location being different from said first terminal's current location.