Patent ID: 7328016

Claim:
Apparatus for a mobile node to facilitate selection of a first selected network of a group of networks with which to attempt to communicate, the mobile node connected to a removable storage element that, if of first selected characteristics, identifies the group of networks and includes a network selection list stored in the removable storage element, and the mobile node containing a second storage element, said apparatus comprising: a determiner embodied at the mobile node, said determiner for determining whether the removable storage element, selectably connected to the mobile node, is of the first selected characteristics, otherwise, for determining whether a network selection list is stored in the second storage element; a selector adapted to receive indications of determinations made by said determiner, said selector for selecting the first selected network of the group of networks with which to attempt to communicate, selection made by said selector responsive to indications and the network selection list stored at the removable storage element if determinations made by said determiner indicate the removable storage element is of the first selected characteristics and, otherwise, responsive to indications and the network selection list stored at the second storage element if determinations made by said determiner indicate that a network selection list is stored in the second storage element; and a downloader, adapted to receive indications of determinations made by said determiner, said downloader configured selectably to download and store indications of the group of networks stored at the removable storage element to the second storage element, available subsequently thereat responsive to determinations by said determiner that the removable storage element is of the first selected characteristics.