Patent ID: 6104925
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
A method for establishing group communications between subscribers affiliated with a terrestrial communication system and subscribers affiliated with a satellite communication system, the method comprising the steps of:a) initiating, by a terrestrial controller, a group communication in response to a request from a subscriber affiliated with the terrestrial communication system;b) providing, by the terrestrial controller, an indication of the group communication to a systems interface, wherein the indication includes an identity of at least one subscriber that is to be a participant in the group communication;c) determining, by the systems interface, whether the at least one subscriber is affiliated with the satellite communication system;d) when the at least one subscriber is affiliated with the satellite communication system, requesting, by the systems interface, a separate satellite communication link for each of the at least one subscriber affiliated with the satellite communication system; ande) when the satellite communication link is established, arbitrating, by the systems interface, satellite transmissions of the at least one subscriber.