Patent ID: 6272315
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
For a mobile terminal registered to a mobile satellite system (""MSS"") and configured for operation in MSS mode and a terrestrial wireless mode, a method of switching from operating in said MSS mode to operating in said terrestrial wireless mode, comprising the steps of:creating an idle hand-down channel;said MSS system broadcasting switch-over information for plural terrestrial wireless systems over said idle hand-down channel, said switch-over information including at least one parameter useful in registering with said wireless terrestrial systems;said mobile terminal selecting, from said plural terrestrial wireless systems for which switch-over information was broadcast over said idle hand-down channel, a preferred terrestrial wireless system;said mobile terminal using said broadcast information for said preferred terrestrial wireless system to register with said preferred terrestrial wireless system, wherein prior to registration with said terrestrial wireless system, said mobile terminal is registered with a MSS system and in an idle state;said mobile terminal de-registering with said terrestrial wireless system; andsaid mobile terminal switching from said terrestrial wireless mode to said MSS mode.