Billing engine and method of use

A system for data utilization tracking in a wireless communication device having a cellular network connection with one of a plurality of mobile operator networks using a cellular network transceiver and having a wireless non-network connection using a second transceiver different from the cellular network transceiver, comprising:

• a local area network (LAN) having plurality of wireless access points (APs) with a first of the plurality of APs, serving as an initial wireless access point, configured to receive an authentication request from the wireless communication device cellular network transceiver or the wireless communication device second transceiver, the authentication request including identification information that uniquely identifies the wireless communication device and identifies one of the plurality of mobile operator networks associated with the wireless communication device wherein receiving the authentication request from the wireless communication device cellular network transceiver comprises establishing a cellular communication link between the wireless communication device and the AP that does not use the cellular network connection between the wireless communication device and the one mobile operator network associated with the wireless communication device;
• an authentication server configured to receive the authentication request from the wireless communication device requesting authentication and to authenticate an identity of the wireless communication device, and, upon authentication of the wireless communication device, authorizing the establishment of a communication link between the authenticated wireless communication device and a wide area network (WAN) via the LAN to thereby initiate operation of the wireless communication device in a data off-load operational session;
• a data traffic monitor configured to monitor data traffic between the WAN and the authenticated wireless communication device to thereby monitor data utilization of the authenticated wireless communication device during the data off-load operational session;
• and
• a billing engine configured to establish a secure communication link with the mobile operator network associated with the wireless communication device to provide data utilization information for the authenticated wireless communication device to the associated mobile operator network.