Method of maximizing use of bandwidth for communicating with mobile platforms

A method of transmitting data to a plurality of mobile platforms to maximize the use of available bandwidth using a communication system having a base station and at least one satellite for transmitting the data to plurality of mobile platforms, the method comprising the steps of:

• broadcasting data to a plurality of mobile platforms;
• receiving confirmation from the mobile platforms that have received the data;
• determining the number of mobile platforms that have received the data in a predetermined time period based upon the confirmations;
• and
• transmitting the data using a point-to-point connection to the mobile platforms not providing confirmation after a predetermined number of mobile platforms have been determined to have received the data in the predetermined time period.

A system for maximizing bandwidth use when communicating with a plurality of mobile platforms, the system comprising:

• communication means for communicating data to the plurality of mobile platforms;
• receiving means on-board each of the mobile platforms for receiving the communicated data;
• and
• a content delivery system for switching between a broadcast transmission mode and a unicast transmission mode based upon the number of mobile platforms that have received the data within a predetermined period of time.