OBTAINING SERVICE WHEN IN A NO-COVERAGE AREA OF A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A method for obtaining service when in a no-coverage area (11) of a radiotelephone communication system (18) includes a first step of storing (32) information regarding a last known available communication system. This can be accomplished through the communication system (18) when loss of service is imminent or through independent means after service is lost. A next step includes reporting (34) the information about the last known available communication system (12) to a user of the radiotelephone (10). A next step includes using (36) the information to obtain service from the last known available communication system (12). For example, a user could use timing information to backtrack their steps or use location information to obtain service.