Patent ID: 8086177

Claim:
A communications system for enabling connection of mobile communications terminals in a vehicle to a mobile communications network, wherein the communications system comprises: a personal area network (PAN) local network comprising the mobile communications terminals in the vehicle, at least some of the mobile communications terminals having wireless connection means; and a communications network connection server comprising: means for providing a first resource for connecting a requesting mobile communications terminal, from among the mobile communications terminals, to the mobile communications network, means for providing a second resource for interconnecting two of the mobile communications terminals of the PAN local network without accessing the mobile communications network, a wireless standard module (WISMO), a mobile network connection system adapted to be mounted in the vehicle and disposed between the WISMO and the communications network connection server for connecting the PAN local network to the mobile communications network, and SIM card management means comprising a SIM card emulator that includes electrical connections between the WISMO and the mobile network connection system, wherein a SIM card is installed in a mobile telephone connected to the mobile network connection system via a short-range communications connection to enable exchange of messages between the WISMO and the SIM card of the mobile telephone, and wherein the communications network connection server is configured to provide at least one interconnection between the mobile communications terminals via the second resource and providing a connection between at least one of the mobile communications terminals and the mobile communications network via the first resource.