Patent Publication Number: US-9843569-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for access credential provisioning

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/879,698, filed on Apr. 16, 2013, which was a national stage entry of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/IB2010/054786, filed on Oct. 21, 2010, the contents of each are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to communications technology and, more particularly, relate to a method and apparatus for access credential provisioning. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The modern communications era has brought about a tremendous expansion of wireline and wireless networks. Wireless and mobile networking technologies have addressed related consumer demands, while providing more flexibility and immediacy of information transfer. Concurrent with the expansion of networking technologies, an expansion in computing power has resulted in development of affordable computing devices capable of taking advantage of services made possible by modern networking technologies. This expansion in computing power has led to a reduction in the size of computing devices and given rise to a new generation of mobile devices that are capable of performing functionality that only a few years ago required processing power that could be provided only by the most advanced desktop computers. Consequently, mobile computing devices having a small form factor have become ubiquitous and are used to access network applications and services by consumers of all socioeconomic backgrounds. 
     An operator of a network requires a mobile computing device to be provisioned with network access credentials as a condition for granting access or usage privileges for the network to the mobile computing device. For example, a network operator may charge an access or other usage fee to a user of a mobile computing device and provision network access credentials only to paying customers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A system, method, and apparatus are herein provided for access credential provisioning. Systems, methods, and apparatuses in accordance with various embodiments may provide several advantages to computing devices, computing device users, vendors, and network operators. In this regard, some example embodiments may facilitate provision of network access credentials in a manner that may be user friendly and, in some example embodiments, user controlled. More particularly, some example embodiments enable transfer of network access credentials from a first mobile apparatus to a second mobile apparatus. Such example embodiments may, for example, enable a user to transfer network access credentials from an old mobile apparatus to a newly purchased mobile apparatus, thereby using a previously established network access subscription on the newly purchased mobile apparatus. Some example embodiments may further enable transfer of personal information, such as phonebook data, contacts data, calendar data, network settings, and/or the like to be transferred from an old mobile apparatus to a newly purchased mobile apparatus. 
     In a first example embodiment, a method is provided, which may comprise receiving, at a first mobile apparatus, information about a second mobile apparatus. The first mobile apparatus of this example embodiment may be provisioned with network access credential information to be transferred from the first mobile apparatus to the second mobile apparatus. The method of this example embodiment may further comprise causing the information about the second mobile apparatus to be provided to a provisioning apparatus for the network. The method of this example embodiment may additionally comprise receiving authorization from the provisioning apparatus to transfer the network access credential information from the first mobile apparatus to the second mobile apparatus. The method of this example embodiment may also comprise, in response to receipt of the authorization, causing the network access credential information to be provided to the second mobile apparatus. 
     In another example embodiment, an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code is provided. The at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to at least receive information about a mobile apparatus. The apparatus of this example embodiment may be provisioned with network access credential information to be transferred from the apparatus to the mobile apparatus. The at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to cause the information about the mobile apparatus to be provided to a provisioning apparatus for the network. The at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to additionally cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to receive authorization from the provisioning apparatus to transfer the network access credential information to the mobile apparatus. The at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to also cause the apparatus of this example embodiment, in response to receipt of the authorization, to cause the network access credential information to be provided to the mobile apparatus. 
     In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may comprise means for receiving information about a mobile apparatus. The apparatus of this example embodiment may be provisioned with network access credential information to be transferred from the apparatus to the mobile apparatus. The apparatus of this example embodiment may further comprise means for causing the information about the mobile apparatus to be provided to a provisioning apparatus for the network. The apparatus of this example embodiment may additionally comprise means for receiving authorization from the provisioning apparatus to transfer the network access credential information to the mobile apparatus. The apparatus of this example embodiment may also comprise means for, in response to receipt of the authorization, causing the network access credential information to be provided to the second mobile apparatus. 
     In another example embodiment, a method is provided, which may comprise causing information about a second mobile apparatus to be provided from the second mobile apparatus to a first mobile apparatus. The first mobile apparatus of this example embodiment may be provisioned with network access credential information to be transferred from the first mobile apparatus to the second mobile apparatus. The method of this example embodiment may further comprise receiving, at the second mobile apparatus, the network access credential information from the first mobile apparatus. 
     In another example embodiment, an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code is provided. The at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to at least cause information about the apparatus to be provided to a mobile apparatus. The mobile apparatus of this example embodiment may be provisioned with network access credential information to be transferred from the mobile apparatus to the apparatus. The at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to further cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to receive the network access credential information from the mobile apparatus. 
     In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may comprise means for causing information about the apparatus to be provided to a mobile apparatus. The mobile apparatus of this example embodiment may be provisioned with network access credential information to be transferred from the mobile apparatus to the apparatus. The apparatus of this example embodiment may further comprise means for receiving the network access credential information from the first mobile apparatus. 
     The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments of the invention so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described example embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the invention in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the invention encompasses many potential embodiments, some of which will be further described below, in addition to those here summarized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described example embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system for access credential provisioning according to some example embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal according to some example embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a first mobile apparatus according to some example embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a second mobile apparatus according to some example embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a provisioning apparatus according to some example embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart according to an example method for access credential provisioning according to some example embodiments; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart according to an example method for access credential provisioning according to some example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some example embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received, displayed and/or stored in accordance with various example embodiments. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium configured to participate in providing information to a processor, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (for example, non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Transmission media may include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals may include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Examples of computer-readable media may include a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disc compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-Ray, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a random access memory (RAM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media. However, it will be appreciated that where embodiments are described to use a computer-readable storage medium, other types of computer-readable mediums may be substituted for or used in addition to the computer-readable storage medium in alternative embodiments. 
     Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (for example, implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, and/or other computing device. 
     In order to access a network, such as a cellular network, a mobile apparatus may need to acquire network access credentials. Provision of network access credentials to a mobile apparatus may be controlled by a network operator. Accordingly, a user of a mobile apparatuses may need to acquire network access credentials when first purchasing or activating the mobile apparatus. Acquisition of a network access credentials may pose a hurdle for unsophisticated mobile apparatus users. As such, some example embodiments provide a novel system, method, apparatus, and computer program product for access credential provisioning. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system  100  for access credential provisioning according to some example embodiments. It will be appreciated that the system  100  as well as the illustrations in other figures are each provided as an example of some embodiments and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. In this regard, the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those illustrated and described herein. As such, while  FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a configuration of a system for access credential provisioning, numerous other configurations may also be used to implement embodiments of the present invention. 
     In some example embodiments, the system  100  may include a first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104 . The first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  may be configured to establish a local connection  106  and exchange data over the local connection  106 . The local connection  106  may, for example, comprise a wired or wireless local connection between the first mobile apparatus  102  and the second mobile apparatus  104 . By way of non-limiting example, the local connection  106  may comprise a universal serial bus (USB) connection, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 connection, serial connection, parallel connection, wireless USB connection, Bluetooth connection, radio frequency connection, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) connection, ZigBee connection, ultra wideband (UWB), Z-Wave connection, connection in accordance with IEEE 802.15, or the like. In this regard, the local connection  106  may comprise any connection by which the first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  may exchange data. In some example embodiments, the local connection  106  may comprise a connection enabling the first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  to exchange data directly and/or securely. 
     The first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  may each respectively be embodied as any computing device, such as, for example, a computer, laptop computer, mobile terminal, mobile computer, mobile phone, mobile communication device, game device, digital camera/camcorder, audio/video player, television device, radio receiver, digital video recorder, positioning device, wrist watch, portable digital assistant (PDA), a chipset, an apparatus comprising a chipset, any combination thereof, and/or the like. In this regard, the first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  may each respectively be embodied as any computing device configured to access a network, such as a cellular network, when configured with access credential information provisioned by an operator of the network. 
     The system  100  may further comprise a provisioning apparatus  108 . The provisioning apparatus  108  may be embodied as one or more servers, a server cluster, a cloud computing infrastructure, one or more desktop computers, one or more laptop computers, one or more network nodes, multiple computing devices in communication with each other, a chipset, an apparatus comprising a chipset, any combination thereof, and/or the like. In some example embodiments, the provisioning apparatus  108  may comprise an entity operated by a network operator that may be configured to provision access credentials for a network to an apparatus, such as the first mobile apparatus  102  and/or the second mobile apparatus  104 . 
     The first mobile apparatus  102  and provisioning apparatus  108  may be configured to communicate over the network  112 . The network  112  may comprise one or more wireless networks (for example, a cellular network, wireless local area network, wireless personal area network, wireless metropolitan area network, and/or the like), one or more wireline networks, or some combination thereof, and in some embodiments may comprise at least a portion of the internet. Accordingly, the first mobile apparatus  102  and provisioning apparatus  108  may, for example, be configured to communicate over the network  112  via email, short message service, internet protocol communication, some combination thereof, or the like. 
     The system  100  may additionally comprise a subscriber database  110 . The subscriber database  110  may, for example, comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Home Location Register (HLR), Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server, some combination thereof, and/or the like. In this regard, the subscriber database  110  may, for example, comprise a database of access credential information for mobile apparatuses (e.g., for the first mobile apparatus  102 , second mobile apparatus  104 , and/or the like) and/or users thereof that may be maintained by a network operator. For example, the subscriber database  110  may comprise an equipment identity register (EIR). In some example embodiments, the provisioning apparatus  108  and subscriber database  110  may be co-located. In embodiments wherein the provisioning apparatus  108  and subscriber database  110  are not co-located, the provisioning apparatus  108  and subscriber database  110  may be configured to communicate and exchange data over the network  112  or other network. 
     According to some example embodiments, one or more of the first mobile apparatus  102  and the second mobile apparatus  104  may be embodied as a mobile terminal, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this regard,  FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a mobile terminal  10  representative of some embodiments of a first mobile apparatus  102  and/or second mobile apparatus  104 . It should be understood, however, that the mobile terminal  10  illustrated and hereinafter described is merely illustrative of one type of first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  that may implement and/or benefit from various embodiments and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of the disclosure. While several embodiments of the electronic device are illustrated and will be hereinafter described for purposes of example, other types of electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, mobile computers, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, laptop computers, desktop computers, gaming devices, televisions, and other types of electronic systems, may employ various embodiments of the invention. 
     As shown, the mobile terminal  10  may include an antenna  12  (or multiple antennas  12 ) in communication with a transmitter  14  and a receiver  16 . The mobile terminal  10  may also include a processor  20  configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the transmitter and receiver, respectively. The processor  20  may, for example, be embodied as various means including circuitry, one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in  FIG. 2  as a single processor, in some example embodiments the processor  20  may comprise a plurality of processors. These signals sent and received by the processor  20  may include signaling information in accordance with an air interface standard of an applicable cellular system, and/or any number of different wireline or wireless networking techniques, comprising but not limited to Wi-Fi, wireless local access network (WLAN) techniques such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, 802.16, and/or the like. In addition, these signals may include speech data, user generated data, user requested data, and/or the like. In this regard, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like. More particularly, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with various first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication protocols (for example, session initiation protocol (SIP)), and/or the like. For example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2G wireless communication protocols IS-136 (Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), IS-95 (Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)), and/or the like. Also, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2.5G wireless communication protocols General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and/or the like. Further, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 3G wireless communication protocols such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), and/or the like. The mobile terminal may be additionally capable of operating in accordance with 3.9G wireless communication protocols such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and/or the like. Additionally, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols and/or the like as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may be developed in the future. 
     Some Narrow-band Advanced Mobile Phone System (NAMPS), as well as Total Access Communication System (TACS), mobile terminals may also benefit from embodiments of this invention, as should dual or higher mode phones (for example, digital/analog or TDMA/CDMA/analog phones). Additionally, the mobile terminal  10  may be capable of operating according to Wi-Fi or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) protocols. 
     It is understood that the processor  20  may comprise circuitry for implementing audio/video and logic functions of the mobile terminal  10 . For example, the processor  20  may comprise a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, and/or the like. Control and signal processing functions of the mobile terminal may be allocated between these devices according to their respective capabilities. The processor may additionally comprise an internal voice coder (VC)  20   a , an internal data modem (DM)  20   b , and/or the like. Further, the processor may comprise functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory. For example, the processor  20  may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser. The connectivity program may allow the mobile terminal  10  to transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content, according to a protocol, such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and/or the like. The mobile terminal  10  may be capable of using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to transmit and receive web content across the internet or other networks. 
     The mobile terminal  10  may also comprise a user interface including, for example, an earphone or speaker  24 , a ringer  22 , a microphone  26 , a display  28 , a user input interface, and/or the like, which may be operationally coupled to the processor  20 . In this regard, the processor  20  may comprise user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more elements of the user interface, such as, for example, the speaker  24 , the ringer  22 , the microphone  26 , the display  28 , and/or the like. The processor  20  and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor  20  may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more elements of the user interface through computer program instructions (for example, software and/or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor  20  (for example, volatile memory  40 , non-volatile memory  42 , and/or the like). The mobile terminal may comprise a battery for powering various circuits related to the mobile terminal, for example, a circuit to provide mechanical vibration as a detectable output. The user input interface may comprise devices allowing the mobile terminal to receive data, such as a keypad  30 , a touch display, a joystick, and/or other input device. In embodiments including a keypad, the keypad may comprise numeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and/or other keys for operating the mobile terminal. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mobile terminal  10  may also include one or more means for sharing and/or obtaining data. For example, the mobile terminal may comprise a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver and/or interrogator  64  so data may be shared with and/or obtained from electronic devices in accordance with RF techniques. The mobile terminal may comprise other short-range transceivers, such as, for example, an infrared (IR) transceiver  66 , a Bluetooth™ (BT) transceiver  68  operating using Bluetooth™ brand wireless technology developed by the Bluetooth™ Special Interest Group, a wireless universal serial bus (USB) transceiver  70  and/or the like. The Bluetooth™ transceiver  68  may be capable of operating according to ultra-low power Bluetooth™ technology (for example, Wibree™) radio standards. In this regard, the mobile terminal  10  and, in particular, the short-range transceiver may be capable of transmitting data to and/or receiving data from electronic devices within a proximity of the mobile terminal, such as within 10 meters, for example. The mobile terminal may be capable of transmitting and/or receiving data from electronic devices according to various wireless networking techniques, including Wi-Fi, WLAN techniques such as IEEE 802.11 techniques, IEEE 802.15 techniques, IEEE 802.16 techniques, and/or the like. 
     The mobile terminal  10  may comprise memory, such as a removable or non-removable subscriber identity module (SIM)  38 , a soft SIM  38 , a fixed SIM  38 , a removable or non-removable universal subscriber identity module (USIM)  38 , a soft USIM  38 , a fixed USIM  38 , a removable user identity module (R-UIM), and/or the like, which may store information elements related to a mobile subscriber. In addition to the SIM, the mobile terminal may comprise other removable and/or fixed memory. The mobile terminal  10  may include volatile memory  40  and/or non-volatile memory  42 . For example, volatile memory  40  may include Random Access Memory (RAM) including dynamic and/or static RAM, on-chip or off-chip cache memory, and/or the like. Non-volatile memory  42 , which may be embedded and/or removable, may include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic storage devices (for example, hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic tape, etc.), optical disc drives and/or media, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), and/or the like. Like volatile memory  40 , non-volatile memory  42  may also include a cache area for temporary storage of data. The memories may store one or more software programs, instructions, pieces of information, data, and/or the like which may be used by the mobile terminal for performing functions of the mobile terminal. For example, the memories may comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying the mobile terminal  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a first mobile apparatus  102  according to some example embodiments. In some example embodiments, the first mobile apparatus  102  may include various means for performing the various functions herein described. These means may comprise one or more of a processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , user interface  126 , or provision facilitation module  128 . The means of the first mobile apparatus  102  as described herein may be embodied as, for example, circuitry, hardware elements (for example, a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions (for example, software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (for example memory  122 ) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (for example, the processor  120 ), or some combination thereof. 
     In some example embodiments, one or more of the means illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the first mobile apparatus  102  may comprise one or more physical packages (for example, chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (for example, a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. In this regard, the processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , user interface  126 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may be embodied as a chip or chip set. The first mobile apparatus  102  may therefore, in some example embodiments, be configured to implement example embodiments of the present invention on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As another example, in some example embodiments, the first mobile apparatus  102  may comprise component(s) configured to implement embodiments of the present invention on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein and/or for enabling user interface navigation with respect to the functionalities and/or services described herein. 
     The processor  120  may, for example, be embodied as various means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), one or more other hardware processors, or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in  FIG. 3  as a single processor, in some example embodiments the processor  120  may comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the first mobile apparatus  102  as described herein. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single computing device or distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the first mobile apparatus  102 . In embodiments wherein the first mobile apparatus  102  is embodied as a mobile terminal  10 , the processor  120  may be embodied as or may comprise the processor  20 . In some example embodiments, the processor  120  is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory  122  or otherwise accessible to the processor  120 . These instructions, when executed by the processor  120 , may cause the first mobile apparatus  102  to perform one or more of the functionalities of the first mobile apparatus  102  as described herein. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor  120  may comprise an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor  120  is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor  120  may comprise specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor  120  is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the memory  122 , the instructions may specifically configure the processor  120  to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein. 
     The memory  122  may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or some combination thereof. In this regard, the memory  122  may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Although illustrated in  FIG. 3  as a single memory, the memory  122  may comprise a plurality of memories. The plurality of memories may be embodied on a single computing device or may be distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the first mobile apparatus  102 . In various example embodiments, the memory  122  may comprise a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In embodiments wherein the first mobile apparatus  102  is embodied as a mobile terminal  10 , the memory  122  may comprise the volatile memory  40  and/or the non-volatile memory  42 . The memory  122  may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the first mobile apparatus  102  to carry out various functions in accordance with various example embodiments. For example, in some example embodiments, the memory  122  may be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor  120 . Additionally or alternatively, the memory  122  may be configured to store program instructions for execution by the processor  120 . The memory  122  may store information in the form of static and/or dynamic information. This stored information may be stored and/or used by the provision facilitation module  128  during the course of performing its functionalities. 
     The communication interface  124  may be embodied as any device or means embodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  122 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  120 ), or a combination thereof that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to another computing device. According to some example embodiments, the communication interface  124  may be at least partially embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor  120 . In this regard, the communication interface  124  may be in communication with the processor  120 , such as via a bus. The communication interface  124  may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and/or supporting hardware or software for enabling communications with one or more remote computing devices. The communication interface  124  may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for communications between computing devices. In this regard, the communication interface  124  may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for transmission of data over a wireless network, wireline network, some combination thereof, or the like by which the first mobile apparatus  102  and one or more computing devices or computing resources may be in communication. As an example, the communication interface  124  may be configured to enable communication between the first mobile apparatus  102  and a second mobile apparatus  104  via a local connection  106 . As a further example, the communication interface  124  may be configured to enable communication between the first mobile apparatus  102  and the provisioning apparatus  108  via the network  112 . The communication interface  124  may additionally be in communication with the memory  122 , user interface  126 , and/or provision facilitation module  128 , such as via a bus. 
     The user interface  126  may be in communication with the processor  120  to receive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, the user interface  126  may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. In embodiments wherein the user interface  126  comprises a touch screen display, the user interface  126  may additionally be configured to detect and/or receive an indication of a touch gesture or other input to the touch screen display. The user interface  126  may be in communication with the memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128 , such as via a bus. 
     The provision facilitation module  128  may be embodied as various means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  122 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  120 ), or some combination thereof and, in some example embodiments, may be embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor  120 . In embodiments wherein the provision facilitation module  128  is embodied separately from the processor  120 , the provision facilitation module  128  may be in communication with the processor  120 . The provision facilitation module  128  may further be in communication with one or more of the memory  122 , communication interface  124 , or user interface  126 , such as via a bus. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a second mobile apparatus  104  according to some example embodiments. In some example embodiments, the second mobile apparatus  104  may include various means for performing the various functions herein described. These means may comprise one or more of a processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , user interface  136 , or setup module  138 . The means of the second mobile apparatus  104  as described herein may be embodied as, for example, circuitry, hardware elements (for example, a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions (for example, software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (for example memory  132 ) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (for example, the processor  130 ), or some combination thereof. 
     In some example embodiments, one or more of the means illustrated in  FIG. 4  may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the second mobile apparatus  104  may comprise one or more physical packages (for example, chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (for example, a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. In this regard, the processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , user interface  136 , and/or setup module  138  may be embodied as a chip or chip set. The second mobile apparatus  104  may therefore, in some example embodiments, be configured to implement embodiments of the present invention on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As another example, in some example embodiments, the second mobile apparatus  104  may comprise component(s) configured to implement embodiments of the present invention on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein and/or for enabling user interface navigation with respect to the functionalities and/or services described herein. 
     The processor  130  may, for example, be embodied as various means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), one or more other hardware processors, or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in  FIG. 4  as a single processor, in some example embodiments the processor  130  may comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the second mobile apparatus  104  as described herein. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single computing device or distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the second mobile apparatus  104 . In embodiments wherein the second mobile apparatus  104  is embodied as a mobile terminal  10 , the processor  130  may be embodied as or may comprise the processor  20 . In some example embodiments, the processor  130  is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory  132  or otherwise accessible to the processor  130 . These instructions, when executed by the processor  130 , may cause the second mobile apparatus  104  to perform one or more of the functionalities of the second mobile apparatus  104  as described herein. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor  130  may comprise an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor  130  is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor  130  may comprise specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor  130  is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the memory  132 , the instructions may specifically configure the processor  130  to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein. 
     The memory  132  may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or some combination thereof. In this regard, the memory  132  may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Although illustrated in  FIG. 4  as a single memory, the memory  132  may comprise a plurality of memories. The plurality of memories may be embodied on a single computing device or may be distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the second mobile apparatus  104 . In various example embodiments, the memory  132  may comprise a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In embodiments wherein the second mobile apparatus  104  is embodied as a mobile terminal  10 , the memory  132  may comprise the volatile memory  40  and/or the non-volatile memory  42 . The memory  132  may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the second mobile apparatus  104  to carry out various functions in accordance with various example embodiments. For example, in some example embodiments, the memory  132  may be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor  130 . Additionally or alternatively, the memory  132  may be configured to store program instructions for execution by the processor  130 . The memory  132  may store information in the form of static and/or dynamic information. This stored information may be stored and/or used by the setup module  138  during the course of performing its functionalities. 
     The communication interface  134  may be embodied as any device or means embodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  132 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  130 ), or a combination thereof that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to another computing device. According to some example embodiments, the communication interface  134  may be at least partially embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor  130 . In this regard, the communication interface  134  may be in communication with the processor  130 , such as via a bus. The communication interface  134  may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and/or supporting hardware or software for enabling communications with one or more remote computing devices. The communication interface  134  may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for communications between computing devices. In this regard, the communication interface  134  may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for transmission of data over a wireless network, wireline network, some combination thereof, or the like by which the second mobile apparatus  104  and one or more computing devices or computing resources may be in communication. As an example, the communication interface  134  may be configured to enable communication between the second mobile apparatus  104  and the first mobile apparatus  102  via a local connection  106 . The communication interface  134  may additionally be in communication with the memory  132 , user interface  136 , and/or setup module  138 , such as via a bus. 
     The user interface  136  may be in communication with the processor  130  to receive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, the user interface  136  may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. In embodiments wherein the user interface  136  comprises a touch screen display, the user interface  136  may additionally be configured to detect and/or receive an indication of a touch gesture or other input to the touch screen display. The user interface  136  may be in communication with the memory  132 , communication interface  134 , and/or setup module  138 , such as via a bus. 
     The setup module  138  may be embodied as various means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  132 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  130 ), or some combination thereof and, in some example embodiments, may be embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor  130 . In embodiments wherein the setup module  138  is embodied separately from the processor  130 , the setup module  138  may be in communication with the processor  130 . The setup module  138  may further be in communication with one or more of the memory  132 , communication interface  134 , or user interface  136 , such as via a bus. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of a provisioning apparatus  108  according to some example embodiments. In some example embodiments, the provisioning apparatus  108  may include various means for performing the various functions herein described. These means may comprise one or more of a processor  140 , memory  142 , communication interface  144 , or provisioning module  148 . The means of the provisioning apparatus  108  as described herein may be embodied as, for example, circuitry, hardware elements (for example, a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions (for example, software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (for example memory  142 ) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (for example, the processor  140 ), or some combination thereof. 
     In some example embodiments, one or more of the means illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the provisioning apparatus  108  may comprise one or more physical packages (for example, chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (for example, a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. In this regard, the processor  140 , memory  142 , communication interface  144 , and/or provisioning module  148  may be embodied as a chip or chip set. The provisioning apparatus  108  may therefore, in some example embodiments, be configured to implement embodiments of the present invention on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As another example, in some example embodiments, the provisioning apparatus  108  may comprise component(s) configured to implement embodiments of the present invention on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein and/or for enabling user interface navigation with respect to the functionalities and/or services described herein. 
     The processor  140  may, for example, be embodied as various means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), one or more other hardware processors, or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in  FIG. 5  as a single processor, in some example embodiments the processor  140  may comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the provisioning apparatus  108  as described herein. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single computing device or distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the provisioning apparatus  108 . In some example embodiments, the processor  140  is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory  142  or otherwise accessible to the processor  140 . These instructions, when executed by the processor  140 , may cause the provisioning apparatus  108  to perform one or more of the functionalities of the provisioning apparatus  108  as described herein. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor  140  may comprise an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor  140  is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor  140  may comprise specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor  140  is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the memory  142 , the instructions may specifically configure the processor  140  to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein. 
     The memory  142  may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or some combination thereof. In this regard, the memory  142  may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Although illustrated in  FIG. 5  as a single memory, the memory  142  may comprise a plurality of memories. The plurality of memories may be embodied on a single computing device or may be distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively configured to function as the provisioning apparatus  108 . In various example embodiments, the memory  142  may comprise a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. The memory  142  may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the provisioning apparatus  108  to carry out various functions in accordance with various example embodiments. For example, in some example embodiments, the memory  142  may be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor  140 . Additionally or alternatively, the memory  142  may be configured to store program instructions for execution by the processor  140 . The memory  142  may store information in the form of static and/or dynamic information. This stored information may be stored and/or used by the provisioning module  148  during the course of performing its functionalities. 
     The communication interface  144  may be embodied as any device or means embodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  142 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  140 ), or a combination thereof that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to another computing device. According to some example embodiments, the communication interface  144  may be at least partially embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor  140 . In this regard, the communication interface  144  may be in communication with the processor  140 , such as via a bus. The communication interface  144  may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and/or supporting hardware or software for enabling communications with one or more remote computing devices. The communication interface  144  may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for communications between computing devices. In this regard, the communication interface  144  may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for transmission of data over a wireless network, wireline network, some combination thereof, or the like by which the provisioning apparatus  108  and one or more computing devices or computing resources may be in communication. As an example, the communication interface  144  may be configured to enable communication between the provisioning apparatus  108  and one or more of the first mobile apparatus  102 , second mobile apparatus  104 , or subscriber database  110  over a network (for example, the network  112 ). The communication interface  144  may additionally be in communication with the memory  142 , and/or provisioning module  148 , such as via a bus. 
     The provisioning module  148  may be embodied as various means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (for example, the memory  142 ) and executed by a processing device (for example, the processor  140 ), or some combination thereof and, in some example embodiments, may be embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor  140 . In embodiments wherein the provisioning module  148  is embodied separately from the processor  140 , the provisioning module  148  may be in communication with the processor  140 . The provisioning module  148  may further be in communication with one or more of the memory  142 , or communication interface  144 , such as via a bus. 
     In accordance with various example embodiments, the first mobile apparatus  102  may be provisioned with network access credential information. This network access credential information may, for example, provide configuration settings and/or other information enabling the first mobile apparatus  102  to access an operator network, such as the network  112 . In this regard, the network access credential information may comprise at least the required security information to access an operator network, but may also encompass personal user information, network settings information, service-related information, and/or the like. The network access credential information may, for example, comprise, access credentials, cryptographic algorithm(s), network settings, service information, configuration information, and/or the like. In some example embodiments, the provisioned network access credential information may comprise Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data and may comprise an application (for example, a SIM application) or other software that may be installed on the first mobile apparatus  102 . In some example embodiments wherein the network access credential information comprises SIM data, the SIM data may, for example, comprise a soft SIM, a fixed SIM, a soft USIM, a fixed USIM, and/or the like. 
     A user of the first mobile apparatus  102  may, for example, purchase the second mobile apparatus  104  as a replacement for the first mobile apparatus  102 . As such, the user may desire to transfer the network access credential information from the first mobile apparatus  102  to the second mobile apparatus  104  so that the user may access the network using the second mobile apparatus  104 . In this regard, transfer of the network access credential information may, for example, enable the user to transfer an existing network access subscription for an operator&#39;s network from the first mobile apparatus  102  to the second mobile apparatus  104 . 
     In order to enable transfer of the network access credential information from the first mobile apparatus  102  to the second mobile apparatus  104  on the network, a local connection  106  may be established between the first mobile apparatus  102  and the second mobile apparatus  104 . In some example embodiments, establishment of the local connection  106  and/or transfer of the network access credential information may be triggered responsive to a user input to the user interface  126  of the first mobile apparatus  102  commanding transfer the network access credential information. Alternatively, in some example embodiments, establishment of the local connection  106  and/or transfer of the network access credential information may be triggered responsive to a user input to the user interface  136  of the second mobile apparatus  104  commanding transfer the network access credential information. In some example embodiments, a secure pairing may be established between the first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  via the local connection  106  based at least in part on a code associated with the network access credential information. This code may, for example, comprise a private identification number (PIN) code associated with the network access credential information, a PIN unlock code (PUC), and/or the like. In this regard, the code associated with the network access credential information may be entered by a user into the user interface  126  and/or user interface  136  for purposes of establishing the secure connection, for example using Bluetooth. The provision facilitation module  128  and/or setup module  138  may be configured to verify the code and cause establishment of the local connection  106  for transfer of the network access credential information in an instance in which the code is verified. As an example, in embodiments wherein the local connection  106  comprises a Bluetooth connection, the code associated with the network access credential information may be used as a pairing code for establishing a Bluetooth security association (SA) between the first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104 . 
     The setup module  138  may be configured to cause information about the second mobile apparatus  104  to be provided to the first mobile apparatus  102  via the local connection  106 . The setup module  138  may, for example, provide the information about the second mobile apparatus  104  to the first mobile apparatus  102  in response to a request received from the first mobile apparatus  102 . The information about the second mobile apparatus  104  may, for example, comprise a unique assigned identifier of the second mobile apparatus  104  (for example, an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), or the like) to be provided to the first mobile apparatus  102 . This unique assigned identifier may be used by a network operator to ensure that the second mobile apparatus  104  has not been registered as stolen. The information about the second mobile apparatus  104  may additionally or alternatively comprise a trusted device identity for the second mobile apparatus  104 . The trusted device identity for the second mobile apparatus  104  may, for example, comprise a device certificate for the second mobile apparatus  104 , a cryptographic key(s) associated with the second mobile apparatus  104  that may be shared with other entities to facilitate verification of items signed and/or encrypted by the second mobile apparatus  104 , and/or the like. The information about the second mobile apparatus  104  may additionally or alternatively comprise protection information indicating protection offered by the second mobile apparatus  104 . The protection information may, for example, indicate a level of hardware and/or software protection offered by the second mobile apparatus  104 . Examples could be the type of the chip used or information, if the system has passed a common criteria certification, such as an Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL). For example, in some example embodiments, an EAL of level  4  or higher may be required by the network operator. As an example, to the network access credentials some information about the “acceptable security level” may need to be provided by the operator in the first place (e.g. attaching policy information or setting some flags). If the information about the acceptable security level is missing, then the network operator (for example, the provisioning module  148 ) may determine, for example that either the network access credential information is “not-to-be-transferred-at-all” or that the network access credential information “can be transferred without further constraints”. 
     In some example embodiments, the setup module  138  may sign the at least a portion of the information about the second mobile apparatus  104 , for example, using the trusted device identity of the second mobile apparatus  102 , prior to providing the information to the first mobile apparatus  102 . In this regard, signing the information may serve to prevent tampering with the information and/or enable authentication of the origin of the information by the first mobile apparatus  102  and/or by the provisioning server  108 . In embodiments wherein the setup module  138  is configured to sign the information about the second mobile apparatus  104 , the setup module  138  may sign the information in a secure environment of the second mobile apparatus  104 . 
     The provision facilitation module  128  may be configured to receive the information about the second mobile apparatus  104 . The provision facilitation module  128  may be configured to format a message comprising the received information to request authorization to transfer the network access credential information to the second mobile apparatus  104 . The provision facilitation module  128  may be configured to cause the formatted message to be sent to the provisioning apparatus  108  via the network  112 . 
     The provision facilitation module  128  may be configured to additionally include at least an indication of a trusted device identity for the first mobile apparatus  102  in the message sent to the provisioning apparatus  108 . The trusted device identity for the first mobile apparatus  102  may, for example, comprise a device certificate for the first mobile apparatus  102 , a cryptographic key(s) associated with the first mobile apparatus  102  that may be shared with other entities to facilitate verification of items signed and/or encrypted by the first mobile apparatus  102 , and/or the like. As an example, the provision facilitation module  128  may include the trusted device identity in the message sent to the provisioning apparatus  108 . As another example, in some example embodiments, the provision facilitation module  128  may be configured to additionally or alternatively sign and/or encrypt at least a portion of the contents of the message using the trusted device identity (for example, using a key associated with the trusted device identity) for the first mobile apparatus  102  prior to sending the message to the provisioning apparatus  108 . In embodiments wherein the provision facilitation module  128  is configured to sign the message contents, the provision facilitation module  128  may sign the message in a secure environment of the first mobile apparatus  102 . 
     The provisioning module  148  may be configured to receive the message from the first mobile apparatus  102 . The provisioning module  148  may be configured to extract the information contained in the message and determine whether to authorize transfer of the network access credential information based at least in part on the information included in the received message. For example, in embodiments wherein the information comprises information indicating protection offered by the second mobile apparatus  104 , the provisioning module  148  may be configured to determine whether the protection offered by the second mobile apparatus  104  satisfies a predefined protection requirement and authorize transfer of the network access credential information only in an instance in which the offered protection satisfies the predefined protection requirement. As a further example, in embodiments wherein the information comprises a unique assigned identifier for the second mobile apparatus  104 , the provisioning module  148  may consult with the subscriber database  110 , such as by checking against an EIR, to verify that the second mobile apparatus  104  has not been registered as stolen. In this regard, the provisioning module  148  may, in some example embodiments authorize transfer of the network access credential information only in an instance in which the second mobile apparatus  104  has been verified as not having been registered as stolen. In embodiments wherein the message comprises a trusted device identity for the first mobile apparatus  102  and/or for the second mobile apparatus  104 , the provisioning module  148  may verify the trusted device identity(ies), such as to verify that the network access credential information to be transferred has not been pirated by an unauthorized device or party. 
     In an instance in which the provisioning module  148  determines to authorize transfer of the network access credential information, the provisioning module  148  may update the subscriber database  110  to reflect a correlation between the network access credential information and an identifier of the second mobile apparatus  104 . The provisioning module  148  may be further configured, in an instance in which the transfer of the network access credential information has been authorized, to cause authorization for the transfer to be provided to the first mobile apparatus  102 . 
     The provision facilitation module  128  may receive the authorization and may, in response to the authorization, cause the network access credential information to be provided to the second mobile apparatus  104  via the local connection  106 . In this regard, the provision facilitation module  128  may cause a copy of locally stored network access credential information to be provided to the second mobile apparatus  104 . Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the authorization may comprise a provisioning package comprising a version of the network access credential information newly provisioned to the second mobile apparatus  104  by the provisioning module  148 . In such example embodiments, the provision facilitation module  128  may forward the provisioning package to the second mobile apparatus  104 . The provision facilitation module  128  may use hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), short message service (SMS), internet protocol (IP), and/or the like to provide the network access credential information to the second mobile apparatus  104 . In some example embodiments, the network access credential information provided to the second mobile apparatus  104  may be packaged in an Open Mobile Alliance Device Management (OMA DM) object. 
     In some example embodiments, the provision facilitation module  128  may sign and/or encrypt the network access credential information based at least in part on the trusted device identity for the second mobile apparatus  104  prior to sending the network access credential information to the second mobile apparatus  104 . In embodiments wherein the provision facilitation module  128  signs and/or encrypts the network access credential information, the network access credential information may be signed and/or encrypted in a secure environment of the first mobile apparatus  102 . 
     The setup module  138  may receive the network access credential information. The setup module  138  may verify successful receipt of the network access credential information and cause a confirmation of successful receipt to be sent to the first mobile apparatus  102  via the local connection  106 . The provision facilitation module  128  may receive the confirmation and in response to the confirmation may cause a locally stored copy (e.g., a copy stored in the memory  122 ) of the network access credential information to be deleted. 
     The provision facilitation module  128  may be further configured to cause an OK message indicating successful transfer of the network access credential information to the second mobile apparatus  104  to be sent to the provisioning apparatus  108 . The OK message may comprise a unique device identifier (for example, an IMEI) assigned to the first mobile apparatus  102  and may be signed based on a trusted device identity for the first mobile apparatus  102 . If the network connection between the first mobile apparatus  102  and provisioning apparatus  108  is still available, the provision facilitation module  128  may cause the OK message to be sent to the provisioning apparatus  108  via the network  112 . Alternatively, if the network connection between the first mobile apparatus  102  and provisioning apparatus  108  is no longer available, the provision facilitation module  128  may cause the OK message to be sent to the second mobile apparatus  104  via the local connection  106  so that the second mobile apparatus  104  may forward the OK message to the provisioning apparatus  108  after the second mobile apparatus  104  has established a connection with the network  112  (for example, by using the transferred network access credential information). 
     In some example embodiments, the setup module  138  may be configured not to use and/or may be unable to use the transferred network access credential information until receiving a permission message providing permission to use the network access credential information to access the operator network (for example, the network  112 ). In this regard, the permission message may be used by the first mobile apparatus  102  to ensure that both the first mobile apparatus  102  and second mobile apparatus  104  do not both attempt to access the operator network concurrently with the same network access credential information. In such example embodiments, the provision facilitation module  128  may be configured to cause a permission message to be sent to the second mobile apparatus  104  via the local connection  106 . 
     The setup module  138  may receive the permission message and, in response to the permission message, may use the network access credential information to complete configuration of the second mobile apparatus  104  to access the network  112  in accordance with a configuration specified by the network access credential information. In some example embodiments, the provision facilitation module  128  may encrypt at least a portion of the transferred network access credential information with a locking key prior to sending the network access credential information to the second mobile apparatus  104 . In such example embodiments, the permission message may comprise the locking key, thereby enabling the setup module  138  to unlock and use the network access credential information. The setup module  138  may accordingly be configured to use a received locking key to decrypt network access credential information encrypted using the locking key. 
     In some example embodiments, the setup module  138  may be configured to hand the network access credential information to a secure environment of the second mobile apparatus  104  and use the network access credential information to configure the second mobile apparatus  104  within a secure environment. In embodiments wherein the network access credential information comprises an installable application (for example, a SIM application), the setup module  138  may configure the second mobile apparatus  104  at least in part by installing the application. In instances wherein the second mobile apparatus  104  has been configured with network access credentials for a plurality of network operators (for example, with a plurality of SIMs), the setup module  138  may be configured to inform a radio module (for example, a radio module of the communication interface  124 ) of the newly configured access credential information. 
     In embodiments wherein at least a portion of the transferred network access credential information is encrypted (for example, based on the trusted device identity for the second mobile apparatus  104  and/or based on a locking key), the setup module  138  may be further configured to decrypt and unpack the network access credential information prior to configuring the second mobile apparatus  104 . In such embodiments, the setup module  138  may decrypt and unpack the network access credential information in a secure environment of the second mobile apparatus  104 . 
     In some example embodiments, a progress bar and/or other indication of progress of the network access credential information transfer may be displayed on a display of one or more of the first mobile apparatus  102  or second mobile apparatus  104 . Additionally or alternatively, user prompts for any user action that may be required to facilitate transfer of the network access credential information may be displayed on a display of one or more of the first mobile apparatus  102  or second mobile apparatus  104 . In some example embodiments, information in addition to network access credential information may be transferred from the first mobile apparatus  102  to the second mobile apparatus  104  via the local connection  106 . This additional information may, for example, comprise personal user information (for example, phonebook data, contacts data, calendar data, network settings, and/or the like), network settings information, and/or the like. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart according to an example method for access credential provisioning according to some example embodiments. In this regard,  FIG. 6  illustrates operations that may be performed at the first mobile apparatus  102 . The operations illustrated in and described with respect to  FIG. 6  may, for example, be performed by, with the assistance of, and/or under the control of one or more of the processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , user interface  126 , or provision facilitation module  128 . Operation  600  may comprise receiving information about the second mobile apparatus  104 . The processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  600 . Operation  610  may comprise causing the information about the second mobile apparatus  104  to be provided to the provisioning apparatus  108 . The processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  610 . Operation  620  may comprise receiving authorization from the provisioning apparatus to transfer the network access credential information from the first mobile apparatus to the second mobile apparatus  104 . The processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  620 . Operation  630  may comprise, in response to the authorization, causing the network access credential information to be provided to the second mobile apparatus  104 . The processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  630 . Operation  640  may comprise receiving a confirmation from the second mobile apparatus  104  that the network access credential information was received successfully by the second mobile apparatus  104 . The processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  640 . Operation  650  may comprise causing deletion of the network access credential information from a memory of the first mobile apparatus  102 . According to some example embodiments, Operation  650  may comprise causing the network access credential information in the memory of the first mobile apparatus  102  to be disabled or otherwise preventing the first mobile apparatus  102  from accessing the network  112 . The processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  650 . Operation  660  may comprise causing a permission message to be sent to the second mobile apparatus  104 , providing permission to the second mobile apparatus  104  to use the network access credential information to access the operator network (for example, the network  112 ). The processor  120 , memory  122 , communication interface  124 , and/or provision facilitation module  128  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  660 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart according to an example method for access credential provisioning according to some example embodiments. In this regard,  FIG. 7  illustrates operations that may be performed at the second mobile apparatus  104 . The operations illustrated in and described with respect to  FIG. 7  may, for example, be performed by, with the assistance of, and/or under the control of one or more of the processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , user interface  136 , or setup module  138 . Operation  700  may comprise causing information about the second mobile apparatus  104  to be provided to the first mobile apparatus  102 . The processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , and/or setup module  138  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  700 . Operation  710  may comprise receiving, from the first mobile apparatus  102 , network access credential information transferred from the first mobile apparatus  102  to the second mobile apparatus  104 . The processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , and/or setup module  138  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  710 . Operation  720  may comprise causing a confirmation of successful receipt of the network access credential information to be sent to the first mobile apparatus  102 . The processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , and/or setup module  138  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  720 . Operation  730  may comprise receiving a permission message from the first mobile apparatus  102  providing permission to use the network access credential information to access the network  112 . The processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , and/or setup module  138  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  730 . Operation  740  may comprise, responsive to the permission message, using the network access credential information to complete configuration of the second mobile apparatus  104  to access the operator network (for example, the network  112 ). The processor  130 , memory  132 , communication interface  134 , and/or setup module  138  may, for example, provide means for performing operation  740 . 
       FIGS. 6-7  each illustrate a flowchart of a system, method, and computer program product according to some example embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware and/or a computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable mediums having computer readable program instructions stored thereon. For example, one or more of the procedures described herein may be embodied by computer program instructions of a computer program product. In this regard, the computer program product(s) which embody the procedures described herein may be stored by one or more memory devices of a mobile terminal, server, or other computing device (for example, in the memory  122 , in the memory  132 , and/or in the memory  142 ) and executed by a processor in the computing device (for example, by the processor  120 , by the processor  130 , and/or by the processor  140 ). In some example embodiments, the computer program instructions comprising the computer program product(s) which embody the procedures described above may be stored by memory devices of a plurality of computing devices. As will be appreciated, any such computer program product may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, a second mobile apparatus  104 , first mobile apparatus  102 , and/or a provisioning apparatus  108 ) to produce a machine, such that the computer program product including the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus creates means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). Further, the computer program product may comprise one or more computer-readable memories on which the computer program instructions may be stored such that the one or more computer-readable memories can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the computer program product may comprise an article of manufacture which implements the function specified in the flowchart block(s). The computer program instructions of one or more computer program products may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, a second mobile apparatus  104 , first mobile apparatus  102 , and/or a provisioning apparatus  108 ) to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). 
     Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer program product(s). 
     The above described functions may be carried out in many ways. For example, any suitable means for carrying out each of the functions described above may be employed to carry out embodiments of the invention. According to some example embodiments, a suitably configured processor (for example, the processor  120 , processor  130 , and/or processor  140 ) may provide all or a portion of the elements. In other example embodiments, all or a portion of the elements may be configured by and operate under control of a computer program product. The computer program product for performing the methods of some example embodiments may include a computer-readable storage medium (for example, the memory  122 , memory  132 , and/or memory  142 ), such as the non-volatile storage medium, and computer-readable program code portions, such as a series of computer instructions, embodied in the computer-readable storage medium. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.