Abstract: A service area expansion scheme for a mobile communication system, capable of efficiently connecting thinly populated areas (satellite zones) to a mobile communication network so as to expand the service area of the mobile communication system economically. In expanding the service area, remote base stations are set at thinly populated areas, while a remote mobile local switching station for connecting the remote base stations to the mobile communication network is provided. The remote base stations and the remote mobile local switching station are selectively connected through the public network by using the respective channel connection units for providing connections with the public network. The remote base stations and the remote mobile local switching station can be replaced by satellite base stations and a satellite mobile local switching station for connecting the satellite base stations to the mobile communication network.