Patent ID: 8737964

Claim:
A method of authenticating an entity, the method being performed at a data processing apparatus having authentication storage means coupled thereto, the authentication storage means having authentication information stored thereon, the method comprising: receiving, from a remote service operator, a service message requesting authentication of an entity; in response to the received service message: coupling the authentication storage means to a service gateway of a communications network; and facilitating the exchange of authentication data between the authentication storage means and the service gateway to authenticate the entity with the service gateway, wherein the authentication data is exchanged between the authentication storage means and the service gateway in messages having a predetermined message format using a bearer independent protocol that is recognizable and transmissible by the data processing apparatus and the service gateway and each device therebetween through which the authentication data passes, which message format is also used to transmit non-authentication data by each of said elements; receiving, from the service gateway, an authenticating message indicating authentication of the entity; and transmitting, to the remote service operator, a message comprising results of the authentication of the entity.