Automated device provisioning and activation

A network system, comprising:

• a communication interface enabling the network system to provide at least a data service to a first end-user device over a wireless access network;
• and
• one or more network elements comprising one or more processors configured to:
• establish a secure communication link between the network system and the first end-user device over the wireless access network, wherein usage of the wireless access network associated with communication over the secure communication link is not charged to a user of the first end-user device;
• receive, from the first end-user device over the secure communication link, a service information request from the first end-user device, the service information request comprising one or more credentials, wherein the one or more credentials identify at least (i) an aspect of the first end-user device, (ii) the user of the first end-user device, or (iii) both (i) and (ii);
• using at least a first portion of the one or more credentials, identify a device group with which the first end-user device is already associated or with which to associate the first end-user device, the device group comprising a second end-user device, the device group being managed by a device group management entity that is different from a network system operator associated with the network system;
• using at least a second portion of the one or more credentials, identifying one or more candidate service plans for enabling the network system to provide the data service to the first end-user device over the wireless access network, the one or more candidate service plans including a group service plan associated with or for association with the device group;
• send, to the first end-user device over the secure communication link, information about the one or more candidate service plans;
• and
• obtain, from the end-user device over the secure communication link, a response to the information about the one or more candidate service plans, the response being based on an input obtained from a user of the end-user device through a user interface of the end-user device, wherein the response identifies at least an aspect of a particular service plan of the one or more candidate service plans.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing machine-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a network system capable of providing at least a data service to a first end-user device over a wireless access network, cause the one or more processors to:

• establish a secure communication link between the network system and the first end-user device over the wireless access network, wherein usage of the wireless access network associated with communication over the secure communication link is not charged to a user of the first end-user device;
• receive, from the first end-user device over the secure communication link, a service information request from the first end-user device, the service information request comprising one or more credentials, wherein the one or more credentials identify at least (i) an aspect of the first end-user device, (ii) the user of the first end-user device, or (iii) both (i) and (ii);
• using at least a first portion of the one or more credentials, identify a device group with which the first end-user device is already associated or with which to associate the first end-user device, the device group comprising a second end-user device, the device group being managed by a device group management entity that is different from a network system operator associated with the network system;
• using at least a second portion of the one or more credentials, identify one or more candidate service plans for enabling the network system to provide the data service to the first end-user device over the wireless access network, the one or more candidate service plans comprising a group service plan associated with or for association with the device group;
• send, to the first end-user device over the secure communication link, information about the one or more candidate service plans;
• and
• obtain, from the end-user device over the secure communication link, a response to the information about the one or more candidate service plans, the response being based on an input obtained from a user of the end-user device through a user interface of the end-user device, wherein the response identifies at least an aspect of a particular service plan of the one or more candidate service plans.