METHODS, USER TERMINALS, AND SYSTEMS THAT ROUTE INTERNATIONAL CALLS IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM USING A HOME COMMUNICATIONS GATEWAY

摘要

A user terminal transmits communications network information, such as a Home Public Mobile Network code, to the satellite communications system when initiating both local and international destination calls. Accordingly, the user terminal configures international calls as local calls when communicating with the satellite communications system. The satellite communications system can then route international destination calls via the home country (i.e., as local calls) rather than via the country which is closest to the international destination, such as when Optimal Call Routing (OCR) is used. Alternately, the user terminal transmits communications information and destination information for both local and international destination calls. Routing information available to the control center indicates whether OCR is enabled or disabled for particular subscribers to the satellite communications system. Accordingly, the control center can route calls by selected subscribers without OCR and route calls by other subscribers using OCR.