Satellite communication system with larger effective gateway coverage area

摘要

A method for operating a satellite communications system as well as a method for providing a larger effective gateway coverage area includes the steps of (a) establishing a call connection between a terrestrial telecommunications network (PSTN) and a user terminal (3) via a first gateway (1) and at least one satellite (SAT); and (b) while the call connection is established, coupling the user terminal (3) to the terrestrial telecommunications network (PSTN) via a second gateway (2) and at least one further satellite. The step of coupling includes a step of conveying call speech or data information between the first gateway (1) and the second gateway (2) over an inter-gateway communications link (4). By so linking multiple gateways each gateway experiences an increase in its effective coverage area, as an on-going call can be continued even after a user terminal (3) moves from a first gateway's coverage area into a second gateway's coverage area. <IMAGE>