Patent ID: 7885654
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for providing access to a wireless cellular communication network, the method comprising: storing a network Internet Protocol (IP) address on a mobile device, the IP address identifies a server associated with a mobile virtual network operator in an IP network, the mobile virtual network operator serves as a home location register (HLR) for the mobile device and receives bids for communication services from each of a plurality of different network operators, the plurality of different network operators own infrastructures that service communication services, the mobile virtual network operator being different from owners of the infrastructure; transmitting, to the mobile virtual network operator through a cellular network and the IP network, a request for network operator data of the plurality of different network operators using the IP address, the request identifying a location of the mobile device; receiving, on the mobile device, network operator data from the mobile virtual network operator server in response to the request, the network operator data based on identifying rates for communication services from the plurality of different network operators and the location of the mobile device; presenting the rates for the plurality of different network operators using the mobile device; receiving a user selection of a network operator from the plurality of different network operators for communication services; conducting communications with the selected network operator; receiving network operator data for additional network operators in response to receiving subsequent bids after initiation of the communications; presenting rates associated with the subsequent bids from the additional network operators; and receiving a user selection to update the network operator with a network operator in the additional network operators; and conducting communications with the updated network operator.