Opportunistic content presentation during temporary operation modes of a mobile communication device

A method of providing content to a mobile communication device during a service activation of the device, comprising:

• receiving a first data communication session request by a cell site from a mobile communication device that has not been activated for service in a wireless communication network associated with the cell site;
• in response to the first data communication session request, establishing by a gateway node of the wireless communication network a device activation communication service between the mobile communication device and a restricted activation network within the wireless communication network and establishing a first data communication session over the device activation communication service;
• conducting an activation process at least in part via the first data communication session by an activation server operating in the restricted activation network communicating with the mobile communication device;
• receiving a second data communication session request by the cell site from an opportunistic content presentation client on the mobile communication device;
• in response to the second data communication session request and while the activation process is conducted by the activation server, establishing by the gateway node a second data communication session over the device activation communication service that connects to a media server operating in the restricted activation network;
• selecting a content by the media server based on an identity of a subscriber associated with the mobile communication device;
• and
• transmitting the selected content via the second data communication session by the media server to the mobile communication device,
• whereby the content is presented on a display of the mobile communication device during activation of the device, where the content is unrelated to the service activation process for the mobile communication device.