A hybrid satellite communications system provides communications,
particularly Internet access, to computer users. The hybrid satellite
communications system includes a satellite system and a terrestrial
communications system. The satellite system includes two transceivers.
The first transceiver receives and transmits a first set of signals
received from the terrestrial communications system to a plurality of
user units. In reverse fashion, the satellite systems second transceiver
receives a second set of signals in a second frequency band from the user
units and transmits those signals back to the terrestrial communications
system. The first set of signals (downlink signals) are of much higher
frequency than the second set of signals (uplink signals). Preferably,
the first set of signals are relayed by a Direct Broadcast System (DBS)
satellite in a frequency band between 12.2 GHz and 12.9 GHz, while the
second set of signals are relayed by a Mobile Satellite System (MSS)
satellite operating between 1.0 GHz and 3.0 Ghz, or relayed by a
terrestrial node operating between 0.8 and 2.0 Ghz. The differences in
frequency between the first set of signals and second set of signals is
considered optimal for the transmission and receipt of communications
between a computer user with the Internet. Moreover, the present
invention is capable of using the present communications infrastructures
dedicated to the satellite transmission of television via DBS satellites,
satellite cellular communications via MSS satellites, and radio
communications via terrestrial cellular systems.