Device agent for remote user configuration of wireless network access

An end-user hardware device comprising:

• device circuitry configured to connect to a wireless access network;
• a plurality of end-user applications;
• and
• a first client-side device agent operable to perform the method including
• providing a service interface layer between the plurality of end-user applications and a networking stack operating on the hardware device, wherein each of the end-user applications connects, in a first operational mode, to a network-side server over the wireless access network;
• monitoring, by the service interface layer, attempts by the plurality of end-user applications to communicate over the wireless access network;
• determining, by the hardware device, that connectivity to the wireless access network is available;
• determining, based on information stored locally on the hardware device and responsive to at least one of the attempts, that a data service plan is not active, wherein the data service plan permits an end-user to communicate over the wireless access network;
• notifying, responsive to said determining, the end-user that the data service plan is not active;
• querying the end-user regarding activation of the data service plan;
• and
• executing, responsive to an affirmative response to the query, the method including communicating with an activation server over the wireless access network and
• i) opening an interface through which the end-user may enroll, subscribe, or otherwise activate the data service plan and communicating with the activation server to activate the data service plan;
• or
• ii) executing an application that automatically exchanges previously entered credentials with the activation server to activate the data service plan.