System and method for providing network access to electronic devices

A radio device that obtains information about available network connectivity options and establishes wireless communications, comprising:

• a multi-mode radio circuit assembly capable of operatively engaging in wireless communications under plural network protocols;
• a control circuit configured to:
• transmit a network information request from the radio device to at least one network data server, wherein the network data server maintains a database of network information for more than one network that are of diverse network type, and the radio device is not provisioned for communication with one or more of the networks;
• receive and process a network information response containing a connectivity device candidate list from the server, the connectivity device candidate list identifying at least one network connectivity device for each one of plural networks and at least two network connectivity devices for at least one of the plural networks, wherein:
• each identified network connection device being in communication range of the radio device in a current location of the radio device, operationally compatible with the radio device, and satisfying operational requirements of the radio device in terms of communications performance;
• and
• each identified network connectivity device being a base station or a wireless access point for a respective one of the plural networks, and at least two of the plural networks operating using different network protocols;
• and
• select one of the network connectivity devices and establish network connectivity with the selected network connectivity device to engage in wireless communications, the selecting made by a decision engine by assessing preferences of the radio device against link information and operational capabilities for each of the identified network connectivity devices.