Abstract: A wireless communication device performs a method for automatically configuring itself to operate in a wireless communication system managed by a system controller. The wireless device includes an internal memory device containing a first memory identifier associated with a first removable memory device and a first user identifier associated with a user of the wireless device. In one embodiment, the wireless device compares the first memory identifier with a second memory identifier stored in a removable memory device coupled to the wireless device, and transmits a registration message including the second memory identifier to the system controller if the first memory identifier is different than the second memory identifier. The wireless device receives a registration confirmation message including a second user identifier associated with an expected user, and stores the second memory identifier in the internal memory device if the second user identifier matches the first user identifier.