Importance

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Abstract

Low-cost, high performance access is provided to an Internet service provider (ISP) not convenient to a high volume Internet exchange point using a flexible hybrid terrestrial-satellite Internet communications system and method. The system and method provide high volume connectivity between an Internet service provider (ISP) and a remote customer site that generates a request for content to be supplied by the ISP. In an exemplary system, a first gateway processes a request for content generated at the remote customer site and routes the request. A second gateway processes the request routed by the first gateway to route the request to the content provider. One or more satellites are used to transmit requested content supplied by the ISP to the remote customer site. An exemplary method comprises the steps of generating a request for content at the remote customer site, processing the request for content to route it to the content provider, and transmitting requested content supplied by the ISP to the remote customer site by way of one or more satellites. The request for content may be routed by way of a terrestrial communications link, such the Internet, or may be routed to the ISP by way of the one or more satellites. The transmitted content may be received directly at the remote customer site, or routed to the remote customer site by way of a gateway or other point of presence (pop) site.

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First Claim