Patent ID: 8693986

Claim:
A method for use in enabling a mobile communication device to obtain a communication service, the method comprising: performing a scanning operation with use of a first identifier for identifying a wireless local area network (WLAN) device which is configured to operate as an access point; communicating, in a limited RF coverage region which has a smaller RF coverage area than RF coverage areas of a plurality of access points in a WLAN network, with the WLAN device configured to operate as the access point; while communicating with the WLAN device: receiving, at the mobile communication device via the WLAN device, an IP address which is assigned to the mobile communication device, for establishing layer-3 communications with the WLAN network; after the layer-3 communications are established, participating in an authentication procedure via the WLAN device; and after positive authentication from the authentication procedure, participating in a provisioning procedure via the WLAN device for receiving information for programming in a profile in the mobile communication device, the information comprising a second identifier; performing a scanning operation with use of the second identifier from the profile for identifying the WLAN network; and communicating with the WLAN network identified by the second identifier for obtaining the communication service.