Phantom mobile-identification number method and apparatus

摘要

A method and apparatus for changing the mobile identification number of a cellular telephone unit to reflect a local network planning area number, including a cellular telephone unit having a microprocessor and associated data storage. The microprocessor is programmed to interrogate the cellular telephone unit to obtain the local system identification number. The network planning area number corresponding to the system identification number is included as a part of the mobile identification number, thereby establishing a local cellular system number, such that the cellular telephone unit appears as a local unit to enable calls to be pre-validated by the local cellular system. Both the cellular telephone unit and the cellular system determine the local cellular system number independently. In response to an incoming call for the cellular telephone unit, the local cellular system pages the cellular telephone unit using the local cellular system number.