Abstract: Group communications between subscribers (20, 22) affiliated with a terrestrial communication system (12, 14) and subscribers (46, 48) affiliated with a satellite communication system (10) is begun when a subscriber has initiated a group communication request. The request is provided, via a controller (i.e., a terrestrial system controller or satellite system controller depending on which communication system the requesting subscriber is affiliated with), to a systems interface (36). Upon receiving the request, the systems interface determines whether subscribers that are identified to participate in the group communication are located in the terrestrial system and/or the satellite system. If the group of subscribers have members in both communication systems, the systems interface establishes satellite communication links for each subscriber affiliated with the satellite communication system and establishes a terrestrial communication link for subscribers affiliated with a terrestrial communication system.

Abstract: Upon detecting a contention between a call request and an active call (404), the call request is added to a busy queue as a contention busied call (412) and at least one logical link is created between the busied call and the active call(s) giving rise to the contention (414). When the active call(s) terminate (502), the at least one logical link is used to identify those busied calls that may be converted to active calls (514), thereby reducing delays associated with the conversion of contention busied calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a subscriber unit's use of a talk-around mode is accomplished when detection of a subscriber unit's selection, and subsequent deselection, of the talk-around mode occurs. Indications of the selection, and subsequent deselection, of the talk-around mode are provided to a monitoring entity (16). The monitoring entity (16) determines the subscriber unit's usage of the talk-around mode based on the indications. From the usage of the talk-around mode, an appropriate fee for such service can be obtained. Alternatively, the monitoring entity may be provided with usage information, which is used to establish the appropriate fee.

Abstract: An apparatus (109) for and method of voting provides efficient use of communication resources (111, 112), while avoiding interference caused by other signal sources, particularly in a simulcast system. Although the same communication resource (111) is used for transmission on multiple base stations or repeaters (103, 105, 107, 113) at the same time in a simulcast system, the present invention provides way to achieve increased signal throughput without causing interference (213, 301) with desired signals (215, 211).