A METHOD FOR SELECTING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER IN A MULTI-SERVICE PROVIDER ENVIRONMENT

摘要

A communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-servic e provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. The frequency b and search schedule has a first or home band and a several other frequency bands in a predetermined order. The order of the frequency bands may be programmed by t he user or by a home service provider over the air. The communication device searche s for an acceptable service provider by examining the home band and then the other ba nds listed in the frequency band search schedule. The bands are examined in the order s pecified by the frequency band search schedule. An acceptable service provider is identi fied by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier rece ived from a band being examined with a list of acceptable service providers.