Patent ID: 8036654

Claim:
A method in a mobile communication for use in selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) for communications, the mobile communication device being configured to provide voice communications with use of a voice service and data communications with use of a data service, the method comprising: maintaining storage of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs with assigned priorities for PLMN selection; maintaining storage of a service access list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs that make the data service available to the mobile communication device; operating in a current PLMN; when a lack of coverage with the current PLMN is identified: performing a scanning operation for identifying one or more PLMNs available in a coverage area of the mobile communication device; performing an automatic network selection procedure in accordance with a communication standard, for selecting one of the PLMNs from the preferred PLMN list; after selecting the PLMN, consulting the service access list for identifying whether the selected PLMN is found in the service access list; if the selected PLMN is found in the service access list, then attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN, but otherwise refraining from attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN; when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN is successful, then adding the PLMN to the service access list if not already listed therein; and when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN fails, then excluding or removing the PLMN from the service access list.