Patent ID: 8472946

Claim:
A method for providing roaming service, the method comprising: receiving an identifier from a wireless device when the wireless device enters a coverage area of a local network, wherein the identifier is associated with the wireless device; determining if the wireless device is associated with a person that is both a prepaid subscriber of the local network and a subscriber of a home network with which the local network has a roaming arrangement; and if the wireless device is associated with the person that is both the prepaid subscriber of the local network and the subscriber of the home network with which the local network has the roaming arrangement: performing a first location update to the home network for the wireless device so that the wireless device can receive calls initiated by dialing a home phone number associated with the home network; performing a second location update to a local home location register (HLR) of the local network for the wireless device so that the wireless device can receive calls initiated by dialing a local phone number associated with the local network; and while the wireless device remains in the coverage area of the local network: when the wireless device receives calls initiated by dialing the local phone number associated with the local network, providing service to the wireless device according to a prepaid billing plan; and when the wireless device receives calls initiated by dialing the home phone number associated with the home network, providing the service to the wireless device according to the roaming arrangement.