A method and apparatus are disclosed for a system where a user terminal 11 can communicate with satellites 9A-C, the satellites 9A-C can communicate with earth stations 7A-E which in turn can communicate with the terrestrial telephone system 1. The user terminal can register with one of the earth stations...http://www.google.com/patents/US6625450?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6625450 - Satellite communications gateway management system
