Abstract: Selected identifiers belonging to the wireless communications device are provided to a network entity based upon the control function being processed, or more generally, upon the class of control function being processed. In one embodiment, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) receives a plurality of identifiers and a control function request from a wireless communications device. The MSC determines which of the identifiers are needed by the network entity to process the requested control function based on the control function requested. The MSC filters the received identifiers to remove un-needed identifiers based on its analysis and forwards the filtered identifiers to the network entity and/or to another network. In another embodiment, the present invention pushes the determination of which identifier to send downward to the wireless communications device itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing over-the-air activation for wireless communications service subscriptions within a wireless communications system. The method includes providing a plurality of subscription modules each having a unique identifier that corresponds to a plurality of non-activated service subscriptions. An activation period is established for each of the non-activated service subscriptions within which the corresponding subscriptions must be activated or deleted from the system. A list of unique identifiers and their associated activation periods is stored in the wireless communications system. To activate the subscription, a subscription module is mated with a mobile equipment device. An over-the-air activation request is transmitted to the wireless communications system that includes the unique identifier associated with said selected subscription module.

Abstract: A method of controlling the transmission of identities for wireless communications devices relies on a broadcast message from the network to instruct the wireless communications devices as to when to send their identity information. The network's control over the transmissions is extended to the control function class level. In a simple embodiment, the network includes instructions in a broadcast message telling the receiving wireless communications devices to send their identities for some classes of control functions and not others. Thus, by altering the broadcast message, the network is able to control the identity transmissions of the wireless communications devices. In more sophisticated embodiments, the network can control not only whether identities are transmitted for certain control functions, but which identity is transmitted. Thus, one identity (e.g., subscription module identifier) may be transmitted with one class of control functions (e.g., registration) and another identity (e.g.