Subscriber Identification Management Broker for Fixed/Mobile Networks

A method for managing the automatic provision of a subscriber network identifier from a central network server to a subscribed communication device, the method comprising:

• receiving notification at the central server relating to a change in the current location for the subscribed device;
• determining from the notification whether a new subscriber network identifier is to be provisioned from the central server;
• selecting a subscriber network identifier on the basis of the current location, if the determining step has determined that a new subscriber network identifier is to be provisioned;
• and
• outputting the selected subscriber network identifier for transmission to the subscribed device.

A central network server for managing the automatic provision of a subscriber network identifier to a subscribed communication device, the server comprising:

• a receiver arranged to receive notification relating to a change in the current location for the subscribed device;
• an identification checker arranged to determine from the notification whether a new subscriber network identifier is to be provisioned from the server;
• an identification updater arranged to select a subscriber network identifier on the basis of the current location, if the determining step has determined that a new subscriber network identifier is to be provisioned;
• and
• an output module arranged to output the selected subscriber network identifier for transmission to the subscribed device.

A method of connecting to a preferred network at a communication device, the method comprising:

• providing notification to a central server relating to a change in the current location for the communication device;
• receiving a subscriber network identifier for a preferred network from the central server on the basis of the current location, if the central server has determined that the communication device is not connected to the preferred network;
• and
• disconnecting from a current network connection and reconnecting to the preferred network using the receive subscriber network identifier.

A communication device comprising:

• storage means for storing a list of subscriber network identifiers;
• processing means for determining, where a new network connection is required, which subscriber network identifier to use to make the new network connection according to selection rules stored in the storage means;
• and
• means to accept update information over a network connection, wherein the communication device operates on received update information to update the list of subscriber network identifiers and the selection rules.

A method for managing the automatic connection of a subscribed communication device to an network, the method comprising:

• determining a current location for the subscribed communication device;
• retrieving a master list of networks for that current location;
• selecting a preferred network from the master list of networks;
• and
• outputting an instruction for the subscribed mobile device to connect to the preferred network.