Abstract: A distributed bandwidth metering system (200) uses trusted elements throughout the system to collect and process usage data. The trusted elements in the distributed bandwidth metering system include subscriber units (210), at least one network controller (230), and at least one billing center (250). When subscriber unit (210) requests and obtains bandwidth from the system, subscriber unit (210) monitors its own usage and sends usage data to a network controller (230) in a predetermined manner. Network controller (230) assembles the data for a particular session and sends the data to a billing center. The billing center generates the billing and invoicing data using the session data.

Abstract: A master routing hub (50, FIG. 1 ) selects a communications path which enables subscriber units (10, 140) using disparate networks to communicate with each other. The master routing hub (50) receives a quality of service indicator (FIG. 4, 410) from a subscriber unit (FIG. 1, 10) as well as cost information from alternate communications networks and terrestrial communications networks. The master routing hub (50) selects an appropriate communications path in accordance with the quality of service indicator and thus provides the best available quality of service at the lowest cost to the subscribers (10, 140). The master routing hub (50) also provides the protocol conversion in order to enable the disparate communications networks to communicate with each other.