Distributed satellite-based communications network and method of providing interactive communications services using the same

• US 20050136832A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globecomm Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steven H. Spreizer
• Inventors: Spreizer, Steven H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,148,216 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18567 Arrangements for providing additional services to the basic mobile satellite telephony service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185

Abstract

A distributed digital communications network and method for interactive communications, e.g., for cellular, wireless Internet access, digital television, and/or like multimedia services, is provided, that includes one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications. One or more base station(s) are located in each of a plurality of selected remote geographic regions, and have mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of communications services in the region. A plurality of satellite communications terminals is also provided for communicating with the satellite from the region. Each terminal is located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with one or more of the base stations. In addition, a plurality of user terminals are utilized, each located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with the base station(s) in the region. One or more base station controller(s) located remotely from, or locally with, the base station(s) have programming for controlling the base stations. Furthermore, a single mobile switching center located remotely from, or locally with, the base station controller(s) and the base stations. The switching center, in addition, has a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the plurality of base stations, and/or wireline and/or other communications network(s). Finally, a packet data network is utilized between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

Claims

1. A distributed cellular network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a plurality of base stations, each being located in a selected remote geographic region and having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the region;

a plurality of satellite communications terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite(s) from the region;

a plurality of user terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with the base station(s) in the region;

a base station controller located remotely from, or locally with, the base stations and having programming for controlling the plurality of base stations;

a mobile switching center located remotely from, or locally with, the base station controller and the base stations and having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the plurality of base stations, and/or wireline and/or or other cellular telephone network(s); and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

2. A distributed cellular network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a plurality of base stations, each being located in a selected remote geographic region and having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services;

a plurality of satellite communications terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite(s) from the region;

a plurality of user terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with the base station(s) in the region;

a base station controller located remotely from, or locally with, the base stations and having programming for controlling the plurality of base stations;

a mobile switching center in proximity to the base station controller and having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the plurality of base stations, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s); and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

3. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a third party, e.g., outside the network, and a cellular telephone subscriber at a selected remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s) linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

4. The network set forth in claim 3, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations.

5. The network set forth in claim 3, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations and not at the third base station.

6. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a third party, e.g., outside the network, and a cellular telephone subscriber at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s) linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

7. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a third party, e.g., outside the network, and a cellular telephone subscriber at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

a third party, cellular and/or wireline and/or land-based, telephone network linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

8. The network set forth in claim 7, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations.

9. The network set forth in claim 7, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations and not at the third base station.

10. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a first cellular telephone subscriber at a first remote location and a second cellular telephone subscriber at a second remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

11. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a first cellular telephone subscriber at a first remote location and a second cellular telephone subscriber at a second remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

12. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a first cellular telephone subscriber at a first remote location and a second cellular telephone subscriber at the first remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

13. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating one or more base stations in each of the remote geographic regions, each base station having mobile wireless links to the plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services;

iii. providing a satellite communications terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each satellite terminal being associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite from the corresponding region;

iv. locating a user terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each user terminal being associated with the base station(s) in the region;

v. providing a base station controller remotely from the base stations, the base station controller having programming for controlling each of the base stations;

vi. positioning a mobile switching center in proximity to the base station controller, the switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the base stations; and

vii. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

14. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating one or more base stations in each of the remote geographic regions, each base station having mobile wireless links to the plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services;

iii. providing a satellite communications terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each satellite terminal being associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite from the corresponding region;

iv. locating a user terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each user terminal being associated with the base station(s) in the region;

v. providing a base station controller remotely from at least one of the base stations, the base station controller having programming for controlling each of the base stations;

vi. positioning a mobile switching center remotely from the base stations and the base station controller, the switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the base stations; and

vii. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

15. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of 1l subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

v. linking a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s), remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center, the network having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

vi. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

16. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

v. linking a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s), remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center, the network having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

vi. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

17. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iv. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a second user terminal;

v. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

vi. linking a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s), remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center, the network having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

vii. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

18. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers between selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

v. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

19. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers between selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

v. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

20. A method of providing distributed cellular telephone services to a plurality of cellular telephone subscribers between selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base station, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

v. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

21. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a third party, e.g., outside the network, and a cellular telephone subscriber at a selected remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a plurality of base station controllers with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a single mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s) linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

22. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a third party, e.g., outside the network, and a cellular telephone subscriber at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, one or more first base station controllers with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, one or more second base station controllers with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a single mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other cellular telephone network(s), linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

23. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a third party, e.g., outside the network, and a cellular telephone subscriber at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, one or more second base station controllers with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a single mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations;

a third party, cellular or land-based, telephone network linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one telephone for enabling the third party to place a call to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

24. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a first cellular telephone subscriber at a first remote location and a second cellular telephone subscriber at a second remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a plurality of base station controllers with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a single mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

25. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a first cellular telephone subscriber at a first remote location and a second, wireline telephone subscriber at a second remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, one or more first base station controllers with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having non-mobile wireline links to a plurality of subscribers of wireline telephone services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, one or more second base station controllers with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a single mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

26. A distributed cellular network for enabling calls between a first cellular telephone subscriber at a first remote location and a second cellular telephone subscriber at the first remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a single mobile switching center having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the cellular network.

27. A distributed interactive digital communications network for multimedia services comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating interactive communications;

a plurality of base stations, each being located in a selected remote geographic region and having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to interactive digital communications services;

a plurality of satellite communications terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite(s) from the region;

a plurality of user terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with the base station(s) in the region;

a base station controller located remotely from, or locally with, the base stations and having programming for controlling the plurality of base stations;

a mobile switching center located remotely from, or locally with, the base station controller and the base stations and having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the plurality of base stations, wireline and/or other communications networks; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

28. A distributed interactive digital communications network for multimedia services comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating interactive communications;

a plurality of base stations, each being located in a selected remote geographic region and having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to interactive digital communications services;

a plurality of satellite communications terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite from the region;

a plurality of user terminals, each being located in the selected remote geographic region and associated with the base station(s) in the region;

a base station controller located remotely from, or locally with, the base stations and having programming for controlling the plurality of base stations;

a mobile switching center in proximity to the base station controller and having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the plurality of base stations, wireline, and/or other communications networks; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

29. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a third party outside the network having first or second digital multimedia communications services, and a subscriber to second digital multimedia communications services at a selected remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first or second digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to second digital multimedia communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based, wireline communications network, and/or one or more selected wireless communications network(s), linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

30. The network set forth in claim 29, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations.

31. The network set forth in claim 29, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations and not at the third base station.

32. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a third party outside the network having first or second digital multimedia communications services, and a subscriber to second digital multimedia communications services at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first or second digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the second digital multimedia communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based communications network, and/or wireline and/or one or more selected wireless communications network(s), linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

33. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a third party outside the network having first digital multimedia communications services, and a subscriber to second digital multimedia communications services at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to second digital multimedia communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

a third party, wireless and/or wireline-based, interactive communications network linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

34. The network set forth in claim 33, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations.

35. The network set forth in claim 33, wherein the base station controller is located remotely from, or locally with, the first and second base stations and not at the third base station.

36. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a first digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a first remote location and a second digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a second remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality to subscribers to second digital multimedia communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

37. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a first digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a first remote location and a second digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a second remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to second digital multimedia communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

38. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a first digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a first remote location and a second digital multimedia communications services subscriber at the first remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first and second digital multimedia communications services in the region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

39. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating one or more base stations in each of the remote geographic regions, each base station having mobile wireless links to the plurality of subscribers to the communications services;

iii. providing a satellite communications terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each satellite terminal being associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite from the corresponding region;

iv. locating a user terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each user terminal being associated with the base station(s) in the region;

v. providing a base station controller remotely from the base stations, the base station controller having programming for controlling each of the base stations;

vi. positioning a mobile switching center in proximity to the base station controller, the switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the base stations; and

vii. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

40. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating interactive communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating one or more base stations in each of the remote geographic regions, each base station having mobile wireless links to the plurality of subscribers to the communications services;

iii. providing a satellite communications terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each satellite terminal being associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the satellite from the corresponding region;

iv. locating a user terminal in each of the remote geographic regions, each user terminal being associated with the base station(s) in the region;

v. providing a base station controller remotely from at least one of the base stations, the base station controller having programming for controlling each of the base stations;

vi. positioning a mobile switching center remotely from the base stations and the base station controller, the switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the base stations; and

vii. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

41. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

v. linking a land based communications network, and/or wireline and/or other selected wireless communications network(s), remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center, the network having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

vi. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

42. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

v. linking a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other selected wireless communications network(s), remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center, the network having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

vi. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

43. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers at selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iv. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a second user terminal;

v. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the region, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

vi. linking a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other selected wireless communications network(s), remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center, the network having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

vii. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

44. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers between selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

v. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

45. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers between selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a first base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the region, and a mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

v. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

46. A method of providing distributed interactive digital multimedia communications services to a plurality of subscribers between selected remote geographic regions, which comprises the steps of:

i. positioning one or more global communications satellites at one or more selected locations for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications services to at least one of the remote geographic regions;

ii. locating a first station in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

iii. locating a second station in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to the communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, a second base station controller with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a second user terminal;

iv. providing a third station in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a mobile switching center having a signal processor for handling signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

vi. providing a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

47. A distributed interactive digital multimedia communications network for enabling transmission of one or more communications signal(s) between a third party outside the network and a communications services subscriber at a selected remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications services;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to communications services in the first region including those for interactive transmission, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to communications services in the second region including those for interactive transmission, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a plurality of base station controllers with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a single mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other wireless telephone network(s), linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

48. A distributed interactive digital communications network for enabling interactive transmission of one or more multimedia communications signal(s) between a third party outside the network and a multimedia communications services subscriber at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications signal(s);

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to communications services in the first region including those for interactive transmission, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, one or more first base station controllers with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to communications services in the second region including those for interactive transmission, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, one or more second base station controllers with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a single mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

a land based telephone network, and/or wireline and/or other selected wireless communications network(s), linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

49. A distributed interactive digital communications network for enabling transmission of one or more multimedia communications signal(s) between a third party outside the network and a multimedia communications services subscriber at a selected remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the communications signal(s);

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to communications services in the first region including those for interactive transmission, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to communications services in the second region including those for interactive transmission, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, one or more base station controllers with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a single mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations;

a third party, wireless and/or land-based, interactive communications network linked remotely and/or locally to the mobile switching center and having at least one device for enabling the third party to transmit a communications signal to the subscriber; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

50. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a first digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a first remote location and a second digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a second remote location, the network comprising:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to second digital multimedia communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, a plurality of base station controllers with programming for controlling the first and second base stations, and a single mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

51. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a first digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a first remote location and a second digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a second remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, one or more first base station controllers with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second base station having non-mobile wireline links to a plurality of subscribers to second digital multimedia communications services in the second region, a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the second region, one or more second base station controllers with programming for controlling the second base station, and a second user terminal;

a third station located in a third remote geographic region, the third station including a third satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the third region, and a single mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

52. A distributed digital communications network for enabling interactive communications between a first digital multimedia communications services subscriber at a first remote location and a second digital multimedia communications services subscriber at the first remote location, which comprises:

one or more global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating the interactive communications;

a first station located in a first remote geographic region, the first station including a first base station having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to first digital multimedia communications services in the first region, a first satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, a base station controller with programming for controlling the first base station, and a first user terminal;

a second station located in a second remote geographic region, the second station including a second satellite communications terminal for communicating with the satellite from the first region, and a single mobile switching center having a digital communications signal processor for digital signal switching between the first and second base stations; and

a packet data network between the satellite and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the distributed network.

53. A distributed cellular network comprising:

a plurality of global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating cellular telephone communications to and from, respectively, one or more selected remote geographic region(s);

a plurality of base stations, each being located in the one or more selected remote geographic region(s) and having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers of cellular telephone services in the region;

a plurality of satellite communications terminals, each being located in the one or more selected remote geographic region(s) and associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the plurality of satellites from the region(s);

a plurality of user terminals, each being located in the one or more selected remote geographic region(s) and associated with the base station(s) in the region(s);

a base station controller located remotely from, or locally with, the base stations and having programming for controlling the plurality of base stations;

a mobile switching center located remotely from, or locally with, the base station controller and the base stations and having a call processor for handling cellular telephone call switching between the plurality of base stations, and/or wireline and/or or other cellular telephone network(s); and

a packet data network between one or more of the satellite(s) and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.

54. A distributed interactive digital communications network for multimedia services comprising:

a plurality of global communications satellites positioned and adapted for receiving and relaying packet data communications encapsulating interactive communications to and from, respectively, one or more selected remote geographic region(s);

a plurality of base stations, each being located in the one or more selected remote geographic region(s) and having mobile wireless links to a plurality of subscribers to interactive digital communications services;

a plurality of satellite communications terminals, each being located in the one or more selected remote geographic region(s) and associated with one or more of the base stations, for communicating with the plurality of satellites from the region(s);

a plurality of user terminals, each being located in the one or more selected remote geographic region(s) and associated with the base station(s) in the region(s);

a base station controller located remotely from, or locally with, the base stations and having programming for controlling the plurality of base stations;

a mobile switching center located remotely from, or locally with, the base station controller and the base stations and having a digital communications signal processor for handling digital signal switching between the plurality of base stations, wireline and/or other communications networks; and

a packet data network between one or more of the satellite(s) and satellite communications terminals for interactive data communications throughout the network.