Location-based adaptation of wireless communication device operating parameters

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a local mobile country code (MCC) for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device. In various embodiments, an operating parameter of the wireless communication device may be modified responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to location-based adaptation of wireless communication device operating parameters.

BACKGROUND

Various aspects of features and services of a wireless communication device can be affected by rules and regulations that apply in the country within which that device operates. From country to country, such rules and regulations may differ, such that a device that travels outside of its home country may be subject to requirements that differ from those to which it is subject while operating within its home country. Some device operations may potentially violate local requirements if they are performed in the same manner in a visited country as they are performed in the device's home country.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments for location-based adaptation of wireless communication device operating parameters. According to techniques described herein, operating parameters of a wireless communication device can be modified based on the identity of a country or other regulatory area in which the wireless communication device is located. Some embodiments can include identifying a mobile country code (MCC) associated with a current position of a wireless communication device (a “local MCC” for the wireless communication device), and determining whether that local MCC matches a home MCC of the wireless communication device. In various embodiments, the wireless communication device may have multiple home MCCs, and it may be determined whether the local MCC matches any of the home MCCs. Some embodiments can include modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC does not match any home MCC of the wireless communication device. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include an apparatus comprising a processing system including a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can include identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can include identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. The method can include identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system100in accordance with various aspects described herein. For example, system100can facilitate in whole or in part identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device. In particular, a communications network125is presented for providing broadband access110to a plurality of data terminals114via access terminal112, wireless access120to a plurality of mobile devices124and vehicle126via base station or access point122, voice access130to a plurality of telephony devices134, via switching device132and/or media access140to a plurality of audio/video display devices144via media terminal142. In addition, communication network125is coupled to one or more content sources175of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access110, wireless access120, voice access130and media access140are shown separately, one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multiple access services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices124can receive media content via media terminal142, data terminal114can be provided voice access via switching device132, and so on).

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an example of an operating environment200that may be representative of various embodiments. In operating environment200, a wireless communication device (WCD)201initially operates within a radio access network (RAN)203A located in a home country202A of the wireless communication device201. Various laws, regulations, rules, and/or requirements may apply within home country202A that guide, and/or impose constraints upon, various aspects of the operations of wireless communication device201. For example, within home country202A, certain portions of spectrum may be licensed for use by cellular service providers, and other portions of spectrum may be designated as unlicensed spectrum that is available for public use. In such an embodiment, wireless communication device201may conduct wireless communications with radio access network203A using portions of wireless bandwidth licensed to a cellular service provider operating radio access network203A, and may conduct other wireless communications—such as wireless communications with a WiFi network—using portions of unlicensed spectrum designated by regulations of home country202A.

As shown inFIG. 2, wireless communication device201may travel out of home country202A into a visited country202B, where wireless communication device201may operate within a radio access network203B. Within visited country202B, laws, regulations, rules, and/or requirements may apply that constrain operations of wireless communication devices in visited country202B in ways in which such operations are not constrained within home country202A. For example, bandwidth that constitutes unlicensed and publicly-usable spectrum in home country202A may be licensed spectrum in visited country202B, such that wireless communication devices in visited country202B cannot use that bandwidth for WiFi communications in visited country202B as they may within home country202A. Additionally or alternatively, constraints that apply to operations of wireless communication devices in home country202A may not apply to operations of wireless communication devices in visited country202B. For example, regulations in visited country202B may permit wireless transmissions with a transmit power greater than a maximum transmit power defined by regulations applicable in home country202A. The embodiments are not limited to these examples.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an example of a procedure300for location-based adaptation of wireless communication device operating parameters. According to procedure300, periodic checks may be performed to determine whether a wireless communication device has traveled outside of its home country, and operating parameter(s) of the wireless communication device may be modified responsive to a determination that the wireless communication device has done so. According to some embodiments, procedure300may be implemented in operating environment200ofFIG. 2in order to dynamically adapt operations of wireless communication device201as appropriate in order to comply with laws, regulations, rules, and/or requirements that apply within visited country202B.

As shown inFIG. 3, procedure300may begin at302, where a wireless communication device may establish a wireless service connection within its home country. For example, in operating environment200ofFIG. 2, wireless communication device201may establish a wireless service connection within home country202A via radio access network203A, which may represent a home PLMN of wireless communication device201. At304, a timer may be started. Checks may be repeatedly performed at306to determine whether the timer has expired. Following detection at306that the timer has expired, flow may pass to308, where a scan may be performed for available PLMNs. For example, upon expiration of a timer started at304, wireless communication device201ofFIG. 2may scan for available PLMNs.

At310, it may be determined whether any available PLMNs have been found. Depending on the outcome of this determination, the wireless communication device may identify a local MCC either at312or314. If it is determined at310that at least one available PLMN has been found, flow may pass to312, where the wireless communication device may identify the local MCC by obtaining it from a broadcast transmission of an available PLMN found at308. For example, if the scan at308is performed after wireless communication device201has traveled to visited country202B in operating environment200ofFIG. 2, wireless communication device201may identify an MCC comprised in a broadcast transmission of radio access network203B as the local MCC. If it is determined at310that no available PLMN has been found, flow may pass to314, where the wireless communication device may identify an MCC of its last known PLMN as the local MCC. For example, if wireless communication device201has moved from within radio access network203A to a location out of range of any PLMN in operating environment200ofFIG. 2, then wireless communication device201may identify an MCC of radio access network203as the local MCC.

From either312or314, flow may pass to316, where it may be determined whether the local MCC matches any MCC on a home MCC list for the wireless communication device. For example, in operating environment200ofFIG. 2, it may be determined whether the local MCC of wireless communication device201matches any MCC on a home MCC list of wireless communication device201. If it is determined at316that the local MCC does not match any MCC on the home MCC list, flow may pass to318. At318, one or more operating parameters of the wireless communication device may be modified based on the local MCC. For example, responsive to a determination in operating environment200ofFIG. 2that its local MCC does not match any MCC on its home MCC list, wireless communication device201may modify one or more of its operating parameters based on the local MCC. Flow may then pass to304, where a timer may once again be started in order to count down to the next check. If it is determined at316that the local MCC matches an MCC on the home MCC list, flow may pass directly to304.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating an example of an operating environment400that may be representative of the implementation of the disclosed techniques for location-based adaptation of wireless communication device operating parameters according to various embodiments. In operating environment400, wireless communication devices401A and401B are located within a country402, and are both configured to perform periodic checks to determine whether they have traveled outside of their home countries, such as according to procedure300ofFIG. 3. Wireless communication device401A is located within range of a RAN node404of a radio access network403located within the country402. Wireless communication device401B is located outside range of radio access network403. For the purposes of this discussion, it is assumed that radio access network403is the only PLMN located within country402.

RAN node404can broadcast system information406, which can include a mobile country code/mobile network code (MCC/MNC) tuple408. An MCC/MNC tuple consists of an MCC-MNC pair that uniquely identifies a particular mobile network in a particular country. Thus, in this example, MCC/MNC tuple408will consist of an MCC-MNC pair that uniquely identifies radio access network403. The MCC portion of MCC/MNC tuple408will comprise an MCC that corresponds to country402. The MNC portion of MCC/MNC tuple408will comprise an MNC that identifies, in the particular country402designated by the MCC portion, the particular radio access network403.

Since it is located within range of RAN node404of radio access network403, wireless communication device401A can receive system information406broadcast by RAN node404. As such, when performing a check in conjunction with procedure300ofFIG. 3, wireless communication device401A can identify its local MCC by obtaining it from MCC/MNC tuple408. In contrast, since it is not located within range of radio access network403, wireless communication device401B cannot identify its local MCC in this manner. Instead, wireless communication device401B may identify an MCC of its last known PLMN as its local MCC. If wireless communication device401B recently traveled from within coverage of radio access network403to its current position outside of that coverage, then its last known PLMN may be radio access network403, and it may identify the MCC in MCC/MNC tuple408as its local MCC. On the other hand, if wireless communication device401B recently traveled from outside of country402to its current position, then its last known PLMN may be a radio access network in another country, and it may identify an MCC associated with that PLMN as its local PLMN.

According to various embodiments, wireless communication devices401A and/or401B may be configured to determine whether or not they are located within their respective home countries by comparing their local MCCs to the MCC(s) include on their respective home MCC lists, and to selectively enable/disable device features/services accordingly. In some embodiments, for instance, wireless communication devices401A and/or401B may be configured to selectively enable/disable device-to-device (D2D)/proximity services (“ProSe”) communication services/features depending on whether they are located within their respective home countries. In an example embodiment, wireless communication device401A may be configured such that it is capable of engaging in D2D communications when out of coverage within its home country, via a sidelink comprised of spectrum licensed—within its home country—to the operator of its home PLMN. Within country402, that spectrum may be licensed to a different operator. Thus, wireless communication device401A may be configured such that it refrains from D2D communications (or at least D2D communications via that spectrum) upon determining that it is located within country402rather than within its home country.

In some embodiments, wireless communication devices401A and/or401B may feature WiFi capabilities, and may be configured to selectively adapt aspects of their WiFi communications depending on whether they are located within their respective home countries. In an example embodiment, wireless communication device401A may possess tethering capability, such that it can extend its cellular-based data connectivity to non-cellular devices via a WiFi network. WiFi channels that wireless communication device401A can use to communicate with other devices of the WiFi network in conjunction with tethering operations in its home country may be unusable within country402. Additionally or alternatively, a different allowable transmit power level may apply within country402than applies within the home country. Thus, wireless communication device401A may be configured such that it uses different WiFi channel(s) for tethering and/or observes a different transmit power limit upon determining that it is located within country402rather than within its home country. The embodiments are not limited to these examples.

FIG. 5depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordance with various aspects described herein. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks inFIG. 5, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.

As shown inFIG. 5, a local MCC for a wireless communication device may be identified at502. At504, a home MCC list for the wireless communication device may be accessed. At506, it may be determined whether the local MCC identified at502matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list. At508, responsive to a determination at506that the local MCC does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list, one or more operating parameters of the wireless communication device may be modified.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a block diagram600is shown illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular a virtualized communication network is presented that can be used to implement some or all of the subsystems and functions of system100ofFIG. 1, RAN203A or203B ofFIG. 2, procedure300ofFIG. 3, or RAN403or RAN node404ofFIG. 4. For example, virtualized communication network600can facilitate in whole or in part identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leverages cloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via a transport layer650, a virtualized network function cloud625and/or one or more cloud computing environments675. In various embodiments, this cloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leverages application programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity from services and operations; supports more nimble business models; and rapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirements including traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity of performance and reliability expectations.

The virtualized network function cloud625interfaces with the transport layer650to provide the VNEs630,632,634, etc. to provide specific NFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud625leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to support networking workloads. The virtualized network elements630,632and634can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-one mapping of traditional network element function or alternately some combination of network functions designed for cloud computing. For example, VNEs630,632and634can include route reflectors, domain name system (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility management entity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers for IP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers and other network elements. Because these elements don't typically need to forward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributed across a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of the capability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higher availability than its former monolithic version. These virtual network elements630,632,634, etc. can be instantiated and managed using an orchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments675can interface with the virtualized network function cloud625via APIs that expose functional capabilities of the VNEs630,632,634, etc. to provide the flexible and expanded capabilities to the virtualized network function cloud625. In particular, network workloads may have applications distributed across the virtualized network function cloud625and cloud computing environment675and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrate workloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these third party locations.

Turning now toFIG. 7, there is illustrated a block diagram of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described herein,FIG. 7and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment700in which the various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computing environment700can be used in the implementation of network elements150,152,154,156, access terminal112, base station or access point122, switching device132, media terminal142, and/or VNEs630,632,634, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented via computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, computing environment700can facilitate in whole or in part identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device.

With reference again toFIG. 7, the example environment can comprise a computer702, the computer702comprising a processing unit704, a system memory706and a system bus708. The system bus708couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory706to the processing unit704. The processing unit704can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as the processing unit704.

The system bus708can be any of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory706comprises ROM710and RAM712. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer702, such as during startup. The RAM712can also comprise a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer702further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)714(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD714can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD)716, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette718) and an optical disk drive720, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk722or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The HDD714, magnetic FDD716and optical disk drive720can be connected to the system bus708by a hard disk drive interface724, a magnetic disk drive interface726and an optical drive interface728, respectively. The hard disk drive interface724for external drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM712, comprising an operating system730, one or more application programs732, other program modules734and program data736. All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM712. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer702through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard738and a pointing device, such as a mouse740. Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit704through an input device interface742that can be coupled to the system bus708, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor744or other type of display device can be also connected to the system bus708via an interface, such as a video adapter746. It will also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor744can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with computer702via any communication means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor744, a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer702can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s)748. The remote computer(s)748can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer702, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storage device750is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN)752and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN)754. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer702can be connected to the LAN752through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter756. The adapter756can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN752, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter756.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer702can comprise a modem758or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN754or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN754, such as by way of the Internet. The modem758, which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus708via the input device interface742. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer702or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device750. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

Turning now toFIG. 8, an embodiment800of a mobile network platform810is shown that is an example of network elements150,152,154,156, and/or VNEs630,632,634, etc. For example, platform810can facilitate in whole or in part identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform810can generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or access points such as base station or access point122. Generally, mobile network platform810can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile network platform810can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform810comprises CS gateway node(s)812which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s)840(e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network860. CS gateway node(s)812can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s)812can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network860; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside in memory830. Moreover, CS gateway node(s)812interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s)818. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s)812can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s)812, PS gateway node(s)818, and serving node(s)816, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform810for telecommunication over a radio access network820with other devices, such as a radiotelephone875.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and signaling, PS gateway node(s)818can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to the mobile network platform810, like wide area network(s) (WANs)850, enterprise network(s)870, and service network(s)880, which can be embodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform810through PS gateway node(s)818. It is to be noted that WANs850and enterprise network(s)870can embody, at least in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) or radio access network820, PS gateway node(s)818can generate packet data protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s)818can comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.

In embodiment800, mobile network platform810also comprises serving node(s)816that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) within technology resource(s) in the radio access network820, convey the various packetized flows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s)818. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that rely primarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s)818; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s)816can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)814in mobile network platform810can execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided by mobile network platform810. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s)818for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and to serving node(s)816for communication thereafter. In addition to application server, server(s)814can comprise utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through mobile network platform810to ensure network's operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s)812and PS gateway node(s)818can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN850or Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobile network platform810(e.g., deployed and operated by the same service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown inFIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more network coverage.

It is to be noted that server(s)814can comprise one or more processors configured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobile network platform810. To that end, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in memory830, for example. It is should be appreciated that server(s)814can comprise a content manager, which operates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment800, memory830can store information related to operation of mobile network platform810. Other operational information can comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served through mobile network platform810, subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory830can also store information from at least one of telephony network(s)840, WAN850, SS7 network860, or enterprise network(s)870. In an aspect, memory830can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store.

Turning now toFIG. 9, an illustrative embodiment of a communication device900is shown. The communication device900can serve as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals114, mobile devices124, vehicle126, display devices144or other client devices for communication via either communications network125. For example, computing device900can facilitate in whole or in part identifying a local MCC for a wireless communication device, accessing a home MCC list for the wireless communication device, determining whether the local MCC for the wireless communication device matches any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device, and modifying an operating parameter of the wireless communication device responsive to a determination that the local MCC for the wireless communication device does not match any home MCC comprised in the home MCC list for the wireless communication device.

The communication device900can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver902(herein transceiver902), a user interface (UI)904, a power supply914, a location receiver916, a motion sensor918, an orientation sensor920, and a controller906for managing operations thereof. The transceiver902can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver902can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI904can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad908with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device900. The keypad908can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device900or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad908can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI904can further include a display910such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device900. In an embodiment where the display910is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad908can be presented by way of the display910with navigation features.

The UI904can also include an audio system912that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system912can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio system912can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI904can further include an image sensor913such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The location receiver916can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device900based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor918can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device900in three-dimensional space. The orientation sensor920can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device900(north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device900can use the transceiver902to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller906can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device900.

Other components not shown inFIG. 9can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device900can include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so on.