Patent ID: 8364165

Claim:
A method for providing route alternatives when utilizing a cell phone comprising: combining a geographical positioning system (GPS) with cell route coverage area information; defining an initial route from a beginning location to a destination location; defining a percentage chance of dropped calls that determines whether cell phone coverage is less than acceptable; utilizing the combined GPS and cell route coverage area information to determine the cell phone coverage on the initial route, wherein the cell phone connects with a wireless network and receives instant data directly only from other cell phones that are located further along the initial route to provide updated cell route coverage area information; determining if the cell phone coverage is less than acceptable on the initial route; and in response to less than acceptable cell phone coverage, displaying a map showing a percentage of chance of dropped calls for the initial route and another percentage chance of dropped calls for an alternative route in order to change the initial route to the alternative route based upon cell phone coverage information, wherein roaming is specified to receive coverage for the alternative route and to incur costs of such roaming.