Abstract: A communications network administers intelligent roaming capabilities and features in a mobile station. The network includes a central database to store intelligent roaming information corresponding to respective service providers; and a service database to store and forward information corresponding to the intelligent roaming information to be programmed into the mobile station, which information is updated periodically by the central database. The mobile station is connected to a mobile coverage area based on the forwarded information.

Abstract: A communications network administers intelligent roaming capabilities and features in a mobile station. The network includes a central database to store intelligent roaming information corresponding to respective service providers; and a service database to store and forward information corresponding to the intelligent roaming information to be programmed into the mobile station, which information is updated periodically by the central database. The mobile station is connected to a mobile coverage area based on the forwarded information.

Abstract: A method for providing a wireless network connection between a device and a wireless network includes storing data related to wireless service providers. The method includes selecting at least one of the wireless service providers based on information related to at least one of services subscribed to by the device and characteristics of a selected wireless service provider. The method includes establishing the wireless network connection between the device and the selected wireless service provider.

Abstract: A computer readable medium that stores a computer program for providing communications service provider information to a mobile station includes a storing code segment that stores data for communications service providers corresponding to market areas. The computer readable medium includes an identifying code segment that identifies at least one communications service provider from the data for communications service providers based on at least one of a class of service and an account of the mobile station. The computer readable medium includes a transmitting code segment that enables transmission of data indicating the identified at least one communications service provider to the mobile station.

Abstract: A mobile station is used by one of a plurality of subscribers of a home area wireless service provider. The mobile station includes a memory for storing a home area wireless network identity and a plurality of preferred wireless network identities. The mobile station further including a controller controlling said mobile station to connect to the home area wireless network when in a home area and controlling said mobile station to connect to one of the preferred wireless networks when outside the home area.

Abstract: A mobile station is used by one of a plurality of subscribers of a home area wireless service provider. The mobile station includes a memory for storing a home area wireless network identity and a plurality of preferred wireless network identities. The mobile station further including a controller controlling said mobile station to connect to the home area wireless network when in a home area and controlling said mobile station to connect to one of the preferred wireless networks when outside the home area.

Abstract: A mobile station is used by one of a plurality of subscribers of a home area wireless service provider. The mobile station includes a memory for storing a home area wireless network identity and a plurality of preferred wireless network identities. The mobile station further including a controller controlling said mobile station to connect to the home area wireless network when in a home area and controlling said mobile station to connect to one of the preferred wireless networks when outside the home area.

Abstract: A mobile station is used by one of a plurality of subscribers of a home area wireless service provider. The mobile station includes a memory that stores a list of preferred wireless carrier identities for use by the mobile station when roaming. The list of preferred wireless carrier identities is stored based upon a national account assigned to the mobile station for a plurality of market areas. The mobile station also includes a selector that automatically selects a preferred wireless carrier from the list stored in the memory when the mobile station is roaming and enters one of the market areas of the plurality of market areas.

Abstract: A mobile station is used by one of a plurality of subscribers of a home area wireless service provider. The mobile station includes a memory that stores a list of preferred wireless carrier identities for use by the mobile station when roaming. The list of preferred wireless carrier identities is stored based upon a national account assigned to the mobile station for a plurality of market areas. The mobile station also includes a selector that automatically selects a preferred wireless carrier from the list stored in the memory when the mobile station is roaming and enters one of the market areas of the plurality of market areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting a preferred wireless carrier from a plurality of wireless carriers for use by a mobile station when the mobile station is roaming outside of a home market area is provided. The apparatus comprises a database, a generator, and a data providing device. The database stores preferred wireless carrier identities for a plurality of market areas based upon predetermined classes of service, predetermined national accounts, and predetermined home market areas. The generator generates a list of the preferred wireless carrier identities based upon a selected class of service, a selected national account, a selected home market area of the mobile station. The data-providing device transmits the generated list to each mobile station designated with the selected class of service, selected national account and selected home market area.

Abstract: An apparatus for selecting a preferred wireless carrier from a plurality of wireless carriers for use by a mobile station when the mobile station is roaming outside of a home market area is provided. The apparatus comprises a database, a generator, and a data providing device. The database stores preferred wireless carrier identities for a plurality of market areas based upon predetermined classes of service, predetermined national accounts, and predetermined home market areas. The generator generates a list of the preferred wireless carrier identities based upon a selected class of service, a selected national account, a selected home market area of the mobile station. The data-providing device transmits the generated list to each mobile station designated with the selected class of service, selected national account and selected home market area.

Abstract: The personal communication system of the present invention includes one or more mobile stations which operate in conjunction with a Private/Residential Base Station and a Mobile Station Emulator to provide seamless rerouting of existing telephone connections between the Private/Residential Base Station and a cellular telephone system. The Mobile Station Emulator associated with the Private/Residential Base Station communicates with either a cellular network or a personal communications service (PCS) over a digital channel to enable hand-in and hand-out, control the emissions of the Private/Residential Base Station, and provide control and monitoring functions to other devices connected to the Private/Residential Base Station.