Inventors:
Everett Dennison - Canfield OH
Edwin L. Nass - Canfield OH
Timothy J. Duffy - West Middlesex PA
Gregory T. Pauley - Canfield OH
Scott L. Jones - Sharon PA
Deborah J. Shale - Poland OH
International Classification:
H04M 1100
Abstract:
A cellular telephone system includes a plurality of cell sites and a mobile telephone switching office. Call management, including selection of a cell site most appropriate for a call associated with a mobile unit, are made based on the geographic location of the mobile unit as opposed to the strength of the signal associated with the call. The geographic location of the mobile unit is precisely determined using a NAVSTAR global positioning system, or its equivalent. Each mobile unit includes a GPS receiver that receives information from a geostationary satellite to determine the precise location of the mobile unit. This position information is relayed to the cell site initially managing the mobile unit, and the mobile unit is handed off to a cell site that is most appropriate for the call. Initial selection of an entrance cell site is made based on signal strength, but further call management decisions are made based on location of the mobile unit.