Method and apparatus for authenticating a communication device

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:

• generating a string of characters as a first registration identification based on an authentication key and a media access control address of a residential gateway for a communication device;
• retrieving a first communication identifier from signaling information of a circuit-switched network associated with the communication device;
• sending the first communication identifier to an authentication system for storage;
• receiving an indication that the first registration identification has been or has not been previously stored at the authentication system;
• responsive to receiving the indication that the first registration identification has not been previously stored:
• receiving an indication of a match between the first communication identifier and the first registration identification and another match between a second communication identifier and a second registration identification stored in the authentication system;
• submitting the first communication identifier and the first registration identification to the authentication system for authenticating the communication device in response to receiving the indication;
• and
• transmitting the first registration identification and a third communication identifier associated with an interactive response system for establishing communications therewith over the circuit-switched network.

A communication device, comprising:

• a processing system including a processor;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
• transmitting a terminal identification and a request to authenticate the communication device to an authentication server over a packet-switched network, wherein the terminal identification for the communication device comprises a media access control address of a residential gateway utilized by the communication device for providing communication services;
• generating a first registration identification by providing an authentication key and a media access control address of a residential gateway for a communication device;
• transmitting the first registration identification to an interactive response server over a circuit-switched network, wherein the interactive response server:
• retrieving a first communication identifier associated with the communication device from signaling information of the circuit-switched network;
• receiving an indication of a match between the first communication identifier and the first registration identification and a second communication identifier and a second registration identification stored in the authentication server;
• and
• submitting the first communication identifier and the first registration identification to the authentication server for authenticating the communication device in response to receiving the indication, wherein the first communication identifier is associated with a subscription for communication services provided to a physical location where the communication device connects with the circuit-switched and packet-switched networks;
• and
• transmitting provisioning information to the communication device in response to a successful authentication step, wherein the provisioning information comprises a dial plan for the communication services subscribed to by an end user of the communication device.