Space shifting over forward satellite communication channels

A method for providing content to a first node in a satellite communications system, the method comprising:

• receiving side information at a first terminal over a satellite link from a second terminal;
• determining, by the first terminal, from the side information that transmission of first content from a second node over the satellite link to a first node is pending, wherein the first node is on a same side of the satellite link as the first terminal and the second node is on a same side of the satellite link as the second terminal;
• determining, by the first terminal, that alternative content that is substantially the same as the first content is accessible to the first node via a communications path that does not include the satellite link;
• obtaining the alternative content;
• and
• providing the alternative content to the first node.

A terminal in a satellite communications system, the first terminal comprising:

• a receiving module configured to receive side information over a satellite link from a second terminal;
• an identification module configured to determine from the side information that transmission of first content from a second node over the satellite link to a first node is pending, wherein the first node is on a same side of the satellite link as the first terminal and the second node is on a same side of the satellite link as the second terminal;
• an identification module configured to determine that alternative content that is substantially the same as the first content is accessible to the first node via a communications path that does not include the satellite link;
• and
• a providing module configured to obtain the alternative content and provide the alternative content to the first node.

A satellite communications system comprising:

• a first terminal;
• a second terminal;
• and
• a satellite link connecting the first terminal to the second terminal,
• wherein the first terminal comprises:
• a receiving module configured to receive side information over the satellite link from the second terminal,
• an identification module configured to determine from the side information that transmission of first content from a second node over the satellite link to a first node is pending, wherein the first node is on a same side of the satellite link as the first terminal and the second node is on a same side of the satellite link as the second terminal,
• a determining module configured to determine that alternative content that is substantially the same as the first content is accessible to the first node via a communications path that does not include the satellite link, and
• a providing module configured to obtain the alternative content and provide the alternative content to the first node;
• and
• wherein the second terminal comprises a transmitting module configured to transmit the side information over the satellite link to the first terminal.