Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station are described. A plurality of communication networks are identified by scanning a coverage area within which the mobile station is operating. A plurality of network identifiers corresponding to the plurality of communication networks are then retrieved from memory of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in accordance with an Enhanced Operator Name String (EONS) protocol. Preferably, each network identifier is retrieved based on a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC), and a Location Area Code (LAC). The plurality of network identifiers are visually displayed for user selection, and at least two of the network identifiers may be substantially the same. The user selected communication network is registered with and the network identifier associated with this network is visually displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive contextual communications is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call gateway having a controller element that retrieves a communication context from a call setup request directed to a called party's Terminal Device (TD) by a calling party's TD, and informs a first mapping generator of said communication context to determine a content mapping scheme for content exchanged between the calling party's and called party's TDs. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for serving radio network subsystem relocation from a first radio network controller to a second radio network controller for an established call to a user equipment, comprising transmitting a transmission power control combination index of a radio link established between the user equipment and the first radio network controller to the second radio network controller.

Abstract: For use in a wireless network, systems and methods for identifying radar signals and for giving the wireless network a radar-avoidance capability. The system for identifying radar signals includes: (1) a pulse analyzer, associated with a wireless device, configured to make a determination whether a received pulse is a radar pulse and not a wireless network pulse and (2) a pulse reporter configured to generate, if the determination is positive, a report thereof for transmission over the wireless network. Another system gives the wireless network a radar-avoidance capability and includes: (1) a report receiver configured to receive reports via the wireless network from wireless devices thereof and (2) a report analyzer, associated with the report receiver, configured to analyze relationships among the reports to make a determination whether a sequence of radar pulses exists and, if the determination is positive, generate a radar transmission alert.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing RF attributes of signals communicated over a communication footprint including at least one base station configured to provide wireless communications to subscribers of a wireless carrier. Antennas may be fixedly positioned throughout a communications footprint of the base station(s), where the antennas are configured to receive signals from base station(s). At least one receiver may be in communication with the antennas configured to receive the signals from the base station(s) via the antennas. A computer system may be in communication with the receiver(s), where the computing system may be configured to receive RF attributes of signals received at respective antennas and measured by the receiver(s). A data repository may be in communication with the computing system and be configured to store data associated with each of the antennas and representative of RF attributes of the signals received by respective antennas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning antennas of a first wireless cell to form MIMO physical sectors and MIMO virtual sectors. Selecting a MIMO virtual sector for communication responsive to throughput, data throughput, signal-to-noise ratio, signal error rate, data error rate, retransmission requests, interference, rejection of multipath signals, transmission rate, and signal strength.

Abstract: A network device and method are directed towards determining whether a carrier gateway is likely to be associated with a mobile carrier service. Content/service providers receive request for content along with a network address of a gateway device providing the request. If the network address is unknown, the content/service provider may be provided to a new gateway identifier that is configured to determine a likelihood that the gateway device is configured to provide services to mobile devices. Based, in part, on the determined likelihood, a gateway device's capability may also be determined, such that the content/service provider may then select to provide a response, degrade a response, or reject a request for the content, service, or the like.

Abstract: A mobile communication method includes causing an operation apparatus to acquire information on an installation location of a radio base station and identification information of firmware currently used by the radio base station, causing the operation apparatus to determine station data to be used by the radio base station on the basis of the information on the installation location when the operation apparatus judges that it is necessary to perform updating, and causing the operation apparatus to notify the radio base station of firmware information for updating and the determined station data.

Abstract: An apparatus for coordinating radio activities in different radio access technologies (RATs) is provided. A first RAT module performs a first channel activity, related to a first RAT, for transmitting or receiving information to or from a first cellular network by using an antenna, and requests that a measurement activity, related to the first RAT, is to be performed for measuring signal power of a serving cell and/or at least one neighbor cell in the first cellular network by using the antenna. A second RAT module requests that a second channel activity, related to a second RAT, is to be performed for transmitting or receiving information to or from a second cellular network by using the antenna. An arbiter schedules performance of the measurement activity between the first and second channel activities.

Abstract: A radio resource allocation system in which equipment placed on a road allocates a radio resource to in-vehicle equipment that exists in a given area is provided. The radio resource allocation system includes the in-vehicle equipment mounted on a vehicle that communicates with another in-vehicle equipment by using the radio resource. The in-vehicle equipment includes a signal transmitting unit that transmits a signal showing that the own vehicle exists in the given area. The roadside equipment includes a radio resource allocation unit that allocates the radio resource to the in-vehicle equipment when the roadside equipment receives the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting unit, and a radio resource release unit that releases the radio resource when the roadside equipment does not receive the signal from the in-vehicle equipment that is allocated the radio resource by the radio resource allocation unit.

Abstract: A mobile telephony switch may comprise several distinct software components, such as a wireless network control component, a data network access component, and a PSTN interface component. Software updates may be prepared and applied to each component individually. In accordance with the present invention software updates may be prepared and/or applied to the software components in parallel.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing the number of wireless transactions between an application server and mobile subscribers in a wireless communications system. The communications system includes a plurality of wireless mobile subscribers communicating with network devices via the application server. Each of the mobile subscribers includes a lightweight client, and the application server includes an alias for each mobile subscriber. For each session between a mobile subscriber and a network device: the application server receives a communication from the network device intended to be processed at a client residing on the mobile subscriber in accordance with a given protocol.

Abstract: A method for power measurements in a cellular communication system comprises receiving measurement configuration orders. Operation of a power meter is controlled in dependence on the measurement configuration orders. Reference signal received powers are measured. A measurement report is compiled and transmitted. The measurement configuration orders comprise cell status information associated with neighbouring cells and measurement instructions that are dependent of the cell status of respective cell. The cell status information comprises information about whether the neighbouring cell is of a different type than the serving cell. Controlling of the operation of the power meter and/or compiling of the measurement report is performed in dependence on the cell status of the neighbouring cell. A method for handover based on such measurement reports is also disclosed as well as Node Bs and user equipments configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: The absolute total isotropic sensitivity is determined for a communication device receiver circuit that is within a scattered field chamber (SFC) and is receiving communications from a base station simulator. Movement of a mode stirrer device within the SFC is controlled to sequentially move the mode stirrer device to a plurality of different static positions. The different static positions of the mode stirrer device are configured to differently mix polarizations of incident RF fields in the SFC. At each of a plurality of the different static positions of the mode stirrer device, the transmission power level from the base station simulator is varied through a plurality of different transmission power levels. At each of a plurality of the transmission power levels, a bit error rate and a received signal strength at which the communication device receives the communications from the base station simulator are measured.

Abstract: Data is transmitted through a plurality of types of communication networks to a mobile communication terminal while a handover of the mobile communication terminal is handled. A communication control apparatus 10 is adapted to control data communication to a cell phone 50 connectable to a plurality of types of communication networks, and is composed of a detecting unit 12 for detecting a connection status of the cell phone 50 in each mobile communication network; an assigning unit 13 for assigning data addressed to the cell phone 50, to each mobile communication network to which the cell phone 50 is connected, based on a volume of the data addressed to the cell phone 50 and the detected connection status; a transmitting unit 15 for transmitting the data assigned to each mobile communication network, to the each mobile communication network; and a handover processing unit 14 for performing a handover process in the plurality of types of mobile communication networks, based on the detected connection status.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for gathering statistics relating to random access operation in a cell of a cellular radio communication network and supervising such random access operation. Statistics are gathered (301), per random access preamble code, relating to random access detections associated with one or more random access preamble codes used in the cell. Based on such gathered statistics, random access operation in the cell may be supervised by evaluating (311) the gathered statistics and, upon determining (312) that the random access detections associated with a specific random access preamble code exhibit an abnormal behaviour likely to be caused by false random access preamble detections, initiating (313) at least one of issuing a corresponding operation and maintenance alarm signal and automatically blocking further use of said specific random access preamble code in the cell.

Abstract: In a radio access network, novel systems and methods reduce processing delay, and improve integration with IP networks, by separating user data from connection management and control data at a Node B or at a base station. The user data are routed to an IP (Internet Protocol) switch, whereas the connection management and control data are routed to a centralized radio network controller (RNC). Pursuant to a second embodiment of the invention, a centralized RNC provides improved radio resource management (RRM) functionality by handing all connection management and control data for a plurality of Node B's, thereby simplifying the switching of user data throughout the radio access network. Pursuant to a third embodiment of the invention, a smart IP switch is equipped to switch user data without core network (CN) involvement. Downlink user data are switched independently of uplink user data.

Abstract: An application specific, network performance measurement system and method are provided wherein the application operates over a network wherein the performance of the network at one or more elements of the network is measured.

Abstract: It is described a method for distributing network characteristic information within a cellular telecommunication network, which includes a first cell including a first base station and a first relay node and a second cell including a second base station. The method comprises includes carrying out an interference measurement by the first relay node, wherein the interference measurement yields a measurement value being indicative for the inter cell interference between the second base station and the first relay node, and forwarding the measurement value from the first relay node to the second base station. Further, it is described a relay node and a base station, which are adapted, in conjunction with each other, to carry out the described distributing method. Furthermore, computer program for controlling the described distributing method is described.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for connecting, configuring and testing new wireless devices and applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system, for subterranean wireless data transmission between at least one mobile station and affixed network by means of a radio network for the monitoring and control of subterranean moving machines. The fixed network comprises a number of fixed base stations embodied as access points, each base station being connected to the fixed network by means of at least one data transmission connection, preferably by cable. Each base station and the mobile station comprise a transceiver device and the data transmission between the mobile station and the fixed network is achieved in a wireless manner over the radio network via at least one base station.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a presence engine and a method of operating a presence engine for encoding or decoding availability status into a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine is configured to manage availability status of a user. The presence engine comprises an input configured to receive a signal representative of an audio signal and an output configured to send a signal representative of an audio signal. The presence engine also comprises a processor configured to encode availability status of a user into a signal representative of an audio signal and/or configured to decode availability status of a user from a signal representative of an audio signal.

Abstract: A method of selectively improving the quality of calls carried by a communications network. The method comprises defining off-peak and peak call periods, and during off-peak periods, for each call carried by the network, analysing call data to determine whether or not a network based Voice Quality Enhancement function should be applied to the call and, if yes, applying the function to the call. A database is maintained containing subscriber and/or terminal identities together with respective Voice Quality Enhancement function requirements, said requirements being updated based upon determinations made during said off-peak periods. During peak periods, said network based Voice Quality Enhancement function is invoked on a per call basis in dependence upon the requirements contained in said database for the user(s) and/or terminal(s) participating in the calls.

Abstract: A performance management method is operable for use with a performance management system linked to a telecommunication network. The method comprises receiving a problem report from a femtocell of a plurality of femtocells communicatively coupled to the telecommunication network. The femtocell is configured to provide communications from at least one mobile device to the telecommunication network through a broadband connection. The problem report identifies a fault being exhibited by a femtocell and a performance parameter identifying a degradation in the performance of the femtocell. The method includes analyzing the performance parameter for determining a corrective action to be performed in an environment linked to the femtocell. The method includes performing the corrective action in the environment linked to the femtocell.

Abstract: There are provided a smart all-in-one base station and an operation method thereof including: an interface unit that includes a plurality of interfaces supporting different communications protocols; a control unit that selects one of the plurality of interfaces included in the interface unit in consideration of user terminal information, interface information, and quality of service information and controls the connection of the user terminals and the selected interfaces; and a core network connection unit that connects the interfaces selected by the control unit to a wired network.

Abstract: Collection and analysis of network transaction information which includes the mobile device's usage, location, movements coupled with data from non-wireless network sources allow for the automation of analysis for the detection of anti-social behaviors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for determining the working status of a wireless network communication device. The method includes determining the probe request or broadcast packet or any wireless packet with its destination address equal to this AP address, and then determining whether extending the time interval of signal transmission based on the detection result. Next, when the device does not receive the probe requests or broadcast packet or any wireless packet with its destination address equal to this AP address within the first predetermined interval, the wireless network communication device will switch to the idle mode. Further, the step of the present invention includes determining whether awakening or shutdown the wireless network communication device based on the result of the detection of the probe request or broadcast packet or any wireless packet with its destination address equal to this AP address within the second predetermined interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aperiodic CQI/PMI/RI reports in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless communication system supports carrier aggregation that enables a user equipment of the wireless communication system to perform transmission and/or reception using multiple component carriers. The method includes reporting CQUPMURI for multiple component carriers. When the user equipment needs to report CQUPMURI for a deactivated component carriers, a special value may be used to signal the condition. Alternatively, the user equipment indicates with the reported CQUPMI/RI which component carriers are measured.

Abstract: A method and system for determining service metrics in a communications network are disclosed. The method measures a speed of a wireless endpoint device in an ongoing call, and collects call performance data. The method deems the ongoing call as being associated with a user who is mobile if the speed of the wireless endpoint device exceeds a speed threshold at any time during the ongoing call, or as being associated with a user who is stationary if the speed of the wireless endpoint device does not exceed or is equal to the speed threshold over a call duration. The method adds the call performance data to an aggregate service metrics for mobile users if the ongoing call is deemed as being associated with a user who is mobile, or to an aggregate service metrics for stationary users if the ongoing call is deemed as being associated with a user who is stationary.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a method and apparatus for detecting silent gaps in wireless network service. In one embodiment, a method for detecting gaps in the service of a wireless network includes monitoring a series of control messages exchanged between a first mobile switching center and a second mobile switching center in the wireless network, where the series of control messages relate to a handoff of a wireless device being served by the wireless network and logging any errors detected during the exchange of the control messages.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing a wireless reception performance test between a wireless device and a base station emulator. The method comprises generating a path loss correction factor. The path loss correction factor compensates for path loss from an antenna port of the base station emulator to an antenna port of the wireless device. The method further comprises transmitting from the base station emulator at least a further signal transmission. The further signal transmission includes the path loss correction factor such that the transmission power of the further signal transmission removes the effect of path loss from the wireless reception performance test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication system comprising first and second communication devices (11,12) each capable of communicating with a telecommunications network (10), and both being connectable to each other by a data link (17) for information transfer and to a method for operating the same. The first communication device (11) contains individual information, and the second communication device (12) comprises a special memory area (21) for storing individual information acquired from the first communication device (11). To enable an improved and facilitated usage of the system comparator means (22) for comparing the individual information contained in the first communication device (11) with that stored in the special memory area (21) of the second communication (12) device are provided.

Abstract: In order to mount a mobile phone in a test device, the current between the battery unit and the phone unit is fed through a switch unit. The switch unit contains at least one switch for interrupting the current, e.g. for resetting the mobile phone after malfunction.

Abstract: A wireless communications system, and a corresponding method, for use with an aircraft, includes airborne base station equipment mounted on the aircraft, the base station equipment capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft and with one or more wireless communications networks, and switching/transaction processing equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment. The system further includes aircraft location equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment, where the aircraft's geographic location, including latitude, longitude, and altitude, is determined; and a push-pull wireless information system that receives the aircraft's geographic location information.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide a general approach to wireless outage recovery. One general approach involves network equipment detecting (101) an outage condition for a wireless coverage area. In response to detecting the outage condition, the network equipment adjusts (102) a tilt setting of an antenna at a wireless node having a neighboring wireless coverage area. The wireless node then provides (103) wireless service to at least a portion of the wireless coverage area to mitigate the outage condition. Ideally, the wireless node provides wireless service to one or more areas of high traffic density within the outage area.

Abstract: An access point diagnosis unit 201 controls a radio access terminal portion 213 included in the access point 100, to execute a test of connection with the access point 100. A switch within the access point selectively connects the radio access terminal portion 213, with any of an antenna and radio reception parts of the own access point 100. In accordance with a failing part, the failure information which contains the failing part and/or a failure content is transmitted from the radio access terminal portion 213 to the radio access terminal 108 (1) along a first path tracing the radio reception part connected by the switch, etc. of the access point 100, or (2) along a second path tracing the antenna connected by the switch and the other access point 101.

Abstract: Techniques for performing messaging between mobile stations (MSs) and UMA network controllers (UNCs) in an unlicensed mobile access network (UMAN). URR (UMA radio resource) messages are exchanged between an MS and one or more UNCs to perform various operations associated with UMAN. The MS may access the UMAN via a wireless access point (AP) that is communicatively coupled to the UNC via an IP network. The URR messages are sent between MSs and UNCs using an Up interface comprising a set of layered protocols over an underlying IP transport.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for detecting a radio coverage in a synchronous multicellular mobile radio system having a multitude of synchronous base stations that are connected to an evaluating unit are provided. All base stations are operated in succession in a measuring operating mod. A respective field intensity of base stations that are locally adjacent and in a normal operating mode is measured, and the respectively measured field intensity data are evaluated by the evaluating unit. This enables a sufficient radio coverage to be determined in a highly cost-effective manner and, optionally, to be corrected.

Abstract: A radio communication system in which a mobile relay station includes a notification unit configured to notify the mobile station of mobility state information of the mobile relay station determined based on a number of base stations selected within a specified time, and the mobile station includes a base station selection processing unit to select the base station based on the mobility state information when the mobile station switches a device to be communicated with from the mobile relay station to the base station.

Abstract: Wireless transmissions from a user of a spectral resource are sensed by operating receiver equipment within a user equipment to receive signals within a given bandwidth around a given carrier frequency. If the user equipment is not readily capable of analyzing the received signals to ascertain whether the signature pattern of the user is present in the received signals, then it works cooperatively with a remote unit to analyze the received signals to ascertain whether a signature pattern of the user is present in the received signals. Results of the analysis are reported to a main node. The remote unit can provide software to the user equipment and/or perform at least part of the analysis for the user equipment.

Abstract: A radio access network (11) facilitates transmission of a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service to plural user equipment units served by a radio base station. A radio network controller node (26) includes in a first message (70) of a Common Transport Channel Setup procedure an indication that sharing of a common transport bearer (60) involved in a session of the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service is allowed. A radio base station (28) makes a determination whether to share the common transport bearer (60) among user equipment units (30) situated in plural cells (C) served by the radio base station (28). If the determination is positive, the radio base station (28) includes in a second message (80) of the Common Transport Channel Setup procedure an identification of an already-established channel to be used as the shared common transport bearer.

Abstract: To provide a mobile communication system which can distribute area information from a radio Node to a mobile terminal in a unit of cell. A mobile communication system comprising: a radio Node having a plurality of cells; host apparatus connected to the radio Node so as to be able to communicate information with the radio Node; and a mobile terminal receiving information distributed from the radio Node, wherein area information different for each cell is distributed from the radio Node to the mobile terminals 40 existing in the cell included in the radio Node, the area information is transmitted, together with control information including type information added according to a content of the area information, from the host apparatus to the radio Node, and the cell to be distributed with the information is determined based on the type information.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining the dependence between several device-parameter values in each case of at least one device parameter of a mobile telephone (31, 32, . . . , 3m, 3n) and at least one signal parameter of a signal transmitted and/or received by the mobile telephone (31, 32, . . . , 3m, 3n) adjusts several device-parameter values within a mobile telephone (31, 32, . . . , 3m, 3n) of at least one device parameter of the respective mobile telephone (31, 32, . . . , 3m, 3n) for a given number of frequencies of the respectively transmitted and/or received signal, and measures the associated signal parameters of a signal transmitted and/or received by the respective mobile telephone (31, 32, . . . , 3m, 3n). All of the frequencies and the device-parameter values of at least one device parameter respectively associated with every frequency are present in the respective mobile telephone (31, 32, . . . , 3m, 3n) at the start of the measurements.

Abstract: A method to adapt channel quality indicator (CQI) reports from user equipment (UE) is provided. This involves first determining the presence of a high-speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) signal. An estimated signal to noise ratio (SNR) is also determined. Next an SNR correction based on the presence or lack thereof of the HS-SCCH signal and the CRC checks for HS-SCCH and HS-DSCH signals are determined and applied to the estimated SNR. The CQI report is then generated based on the corrected estimated SNR. This CQI report which takes into account a corrected estimated SNR may then be used to adjust the HS-SCCH signal in an HSDPA telephony system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus evaluating base station efficiency in a network. The method may comprises: obtaining, from a plurality of base stations, cell performance measurements, wherein the cell performance measurements include a transmitted carrier power value and a dedicated channel (DCH) power value, generating a plurality of cell efficiency coefficients for each of the plurality of base stations by processing the obtained cell performance measurements, determining if at least one of the plurality of base stations is an inefficient base station from at least one of the plurality of cell efficiency coefficients, and transmitting at least one network modification suggestion, wherein the at least one network modification suggestion is based on the at least one of the plurality of cell efficiency coefficients used in determining the at least one inefficient base station.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to improved communication quality of service (QoS) in cellular communication networks (10) and the like. A customer has the option to pay different fees for different tiers of service relating to voice quality and bandwidth access (S102). Higher service tiers may guarantee that a specific vocoder or bit rate is used; they may also guarantee that communication is supported by such parameters as maximum allowed dropped calls rate, maximum allowed jitter and maximum allowed latency (Table 1). Network availability may be guaranteed as per Service Level Agreements that are the part of the contract between a subscriber and a service provider. Different tiers may be associated with customers' records (208) for billing purposes. The network (200) may also afford high end cellular phones higher voice quality by comparing a given high end phone to a look up table (FIG. 6), which indicates what level of service is associated with the given phone.

Abstract: A technique for preventing an MN (Mobile Node) having a plurality of interfaces from being caught in an infinite transfer loop includes, when each of the plurality of interfaces of the MN is connected to an HN (Home Network), in the MN, an abnormal transfer measures confirming unit grasps whether or not an HA (Home Agent) of each HN has an abnormal transfer measures function for avoiding an infinite transfer loop of infinitely repeating packet transfer in conjunction with another HA. Moreover, in the case of the absence of an HA which is not equipped with the abnormal transfer measures function, a registered control condition deciding unit determines an address registration whereby the MN itself avoids the infinite transfer loop, and a registration control unit derives an appropriate address pattern for the avoidance of the infinite transfer loop and carries out the address registration with respect to each HA.

Abstract: We describe a system to optimize performance of a mobile phone network towards a performance goal. The system receives performance data comprising aggregated data for a plurality of calls and commissions measurement data comprising data logged for a plurality of mobile phones, and outputs data for changing a configuration of said network. The system includes a performance monitoring system; a measurement data request system, wherein measurement data is selectively commissioned in response said performance mismatch; a measurement data analysis system to analyze the commissioned measurement data to determine a probable cause of said mismatch, and to provide analysis data identifying the probable cause; and an action determination system to receive said analysis data and to output action data dependent on the analysis data, the action data identifying one or more configuration changes to be made to the mobile phone network to reduce the mismatch.

Abstract: Techniques for performing inter-frequency and/or inter-radio access technology (RAT) measurements are disclosed. A multi-receiver wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may receive downlink transmissions via a plurality of downlink carriers simultaneously. The WTRU may perform inter-frequency and/or inter-RAT measurements using an inactive receiver without measurement gaps if at least one receiver is inactive. If the WTRU receives a measurement order on a disabled carrier, the WTRU may perform measurements on the disabled carrier without measurement gaps using an inactive receiver while maintaining a status of the disabled carrier as disabled. The WTRU may perform the measurements autonomously if a trigger condition is met and at least one receiver is inactive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station are described. A plurality of communication networks are identified by scanning a coverage area within which the mobile station is operating. A plurality of network identifiers corresponding to the plurality of communication networks are then retrieved from memory of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in accordance with an Enhanced Operator Name String (EONS) protocol. Preferably, each network identifier is retrieved based on a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC), and a Location Area Code (LAC). The plurality of network identifiers are visually displayed for user selection, and at least two of the network identifiers may be substantially the same. The user selected communication network is registered with and the network identifier associated with this network is visually displayed.