Patent ID: 8843132

Claim:
A method for providing access to a wireless cellular communication network, the method comprising: at a mobile device: identifying a network address for a server configured to: (i) communicate with a plurality of network operators, (ii) operate as a home location register (HLR) for the mobile device, (iii) receive usage rate bids associated with communication services from each network operator of the plurality of network operators, and (iv) store network operator preference data based on the usage rate bids; transmitting, to the server, location information that identifies a current location of the mobile device; receiving, from the server, at least a portion of the network operator preference data, wherein the at least a portion of the network operator preference data is selected by the server based on the location information; selecting, based on the at least a portion of the network operator preference data, a network operator to use for communications; and transmitting a request for services to the selected network operator.