Data communications systems and methods using different wireless links for inbound and outbound data

A user unit that provides Internet access, comprising:

• a wireless receiver that is configured to receive inbound data from an Internet service provider via a satellite;
• and
• a wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data to the Internet service provider via a terrestrial wireless link that is independent of the satellite;
• wherein the satellite is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite and wherein the terrestrial wireless link is a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) link, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) link, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) link and/or a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) link.

A user unit that provides Internet access, comprising:

• a wireless receiver that is configured to receive inbound data from an Internet service provider via a satellite;
• and
• a wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data to the Internet service provider via a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite;
• wherein the satellite is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite and wherein the space-based wireless link is in a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) frequency band.

A method of operating a user unit comprising:

• wirelessly transmitting outbound data via a terrestrial wireless link in response to user input at the user unit;
• and
• wirelessly receiving inbound data at the user unit in response to the outbound data that was transmitted, the inbound data being wirelessly received at the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link;
• wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link and wherein the terrestrial wireless link is a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) link, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) link, a Code Division Access (CDMA) link, and/or a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) link.

A method of operating a user unit comprising:

• wirelessly transmitting outbound data via a wireless link in response to user input at the user unit;
• and
• wirelessly receiving inbound data at the user unit in response to the outbound data that was transmitted, the inbound data being wirelessly received at the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link;
• wherein the wireless link comprises a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite link;
• and
• wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link and wherein the space-based wireless link is in a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) wireless frequency band.

A method of providing Internet services by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) comprising:

• receiving a request at the ISP from a user unit via a terrestrial wireless link;
• generating data at the ISP in response to the request that was received;
• and
• transmitting the data from the ISP to the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link;
• wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link and wherein the terrestrial wireless link is a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) link, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) link, a Code Division Access (CDMA) link, and/or a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) link.

A method of providing Internet services by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) comprising:

• receiving a request at the ISP from a user unit via a wireless link;
• generating data at the ISP in response to the request that was received;
• and
• transmitting the data from the ISP to the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link;
• wherein the wireless link comprises a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite link;
• and
• wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link and wherein the space-based wireless link is in a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) frequency band.

A user unit comprising:

• a wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data via a terrestrial wireless link in response to user input at the user unit;
• and
• a wireless receiver that is configured to wirelessly receive inbound data at the user unit in response to the outbound data that was transmitted, the inbound data being wirelessly received at the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link;
• wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link and wherein the terrestrial wireless link is a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) link, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) link, a Code Division Access (CDMA) link, and/or a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) link.

A user unit comprising:

• a wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data via a wireless link in response to user input at the user unit;
• and
• a wireless receiver that is configured to wirelessly receive inbound data at the user unit in response to the outbound data that was transmitted, the inbound data being wirelessly received at the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link;
• wherein the wireless link comprises a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite link;
• and
• wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link and wherein the space-based wireless link is in a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) frequency band.