Secured pre-payment for portable communication unit

A method of prepayment for service on a telecommunications system using a portable communication unit (PCU), the method comprising:

• a customer prepaying a dealer for service on a telecommunications system using a first telecommunication channel;
• the dealer forwarding transaction order information about the pre-payment to a prepaid management center (PMC) using a second telecommunication channel;
• the PMC providing a bank the transaction order information using a third telecommunication channel;
• upon receipt of the transaction order information from the PMC from the third telecommunication channel, the bank determining whether there are sufficient funds in a dealer account to cover an amount of the transaction;
• if insufficient funds are in the dealer account, the bank notifying the dealer using the third telecommunication channel and providing the dealer an opportunity to replenish the account so the transaction may proceed;
• if sufficient funds are in the dealer account, the bank automatically transferring the amount of the transaction from the dealer account to a secure payment system (SPS) account using a fourth telecommunication channel, less a dealer's fee for the transaction;
• after funds have been transferred from the dealer account to the SPS account, the telecommunications system notifying the PMC of the transfer using a fifth telecommunication channel in response to the funds transfer into the SPS account;
• after notification, the PMC generating codes required to enable the PCU to provide the service on the telecommunication system and issuing the codes to the dealer using a sixth telecommunication channel;
• the dealer transferring the codes to the customer using the first telecommunication channel;
• the customer entering the codes into the PCU;
• the PCU processing the codes;
• and
• the PCU using the result of processing the codes to provide the service on the telecommunication system.