Remote controlled selection of network bearer

A machine-to machine (M2M) device for initiating a device communications interface via a communications bearer, the M2M device being configured to:

• receive configuration data, wherein the configuration data comprises preferred communications bearer data indicating at least one preferred communications bearer for the device communications interface, and wherein the device communications interface is limited to using only one or more communications bearers that are included in the preferred communications bearer data and is prevented from using other communications bearers;
• and
• initiate the device communications interface based on the received configuration data,
• wherein:
• the configuration data further comprises a signal strength threshold for one or more of the preferred communications bearers, and
• the signal strength threshold indicates a minimum received signal strength below which the M2M device should not initiate a device communication interface via the one or more preferable communications bearers.

A method for providing configuration data to a machine-to machine (M2M) device, the method comprising the step of:

• receiving configuration data at the device,
• wherein the configuration data comprises preferred communications bearer data indicating at least one preferred communications bearer for the device communications interface,
• wherein the device communications interface is limited to using only one or more communications bearers that are included in the preferred communications bearer data and is prevented from using other communications bearers,
• wherein the configuration data further comprises a signal strength threshold for one or more of the preferred communications bearers,
• wherein the signal strength threshold indicates a minimum received signal strength below which the M2M device should not initiate a device communication interface via the one or more preferable communications bearers.