METHODS AND DEVICE FOR PREFERABLY SELECTING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK WHICH MAKES DATA SERVICE AVAILABLE

摘要

Methods and apparatus for selecting a cellular network to provide one or more communication services for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A scanning operation (305) is performed by the mobile device to identify a plurality of cellular networks that support a voice communication service in a geographic coverage area. The mobile device then identifies which of the cellular networks makes a data communication service available to it (335, 405). Advantageously, the mobile device assigns priority to or selects a cellular network that makes the data communication service available over a network that fails to make the data communication service available, and may register with that network. The data communication service may include, as examples, an e-mail communication service or an Internet access service. Preferably, the cellular network operates in accordance with GSM (Global System for Mobile) and GPRS (Generalized Packet Radio Service). In an embodiment, a network is selected which makes the largest number of preferred services available. In another embodiment, a network is selected which has the highest sum of service specific weight values.