Method for selecting a preferable wireless communication service provider in a multi-service provider environment

• US 6,782,259 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Raffel, Michael Allen, Lawrence, Christopher Gregory, Daly, John J., Bamburak, Michael D., Prise, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US10/099,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20020098848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/434, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/435.3, 455/62, 455/67.11, 455/524, 455/525, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/161.1, 455/166.2, 455/168.1, 455/455
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0085 Hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency or frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communication device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequencies in the order specified by the frequency search schedule. The device determines whether the last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider. If the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, the device examines each of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order in the search schedule. The examination continues until another frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider.

Claims

1. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in one frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code enabling identification of the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the examination is conducted by dividing each frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands into a plurality of sub-bands and locating a strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-bands being examined.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device retunes to the one frequency band with the less preferred service provider after each examination of a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands not having the more preferred service provider.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device further modifies the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device identifies the more preferred service provider by comparing identities of service providers specified by an identifier received from each frequency band being examined with a prioritized list of service providers.

6. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in one frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule,

receiving confirmation information from the communication device at the wireless service provider that that modification information has been transmitted.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the communication device retunes to the one frequency band with the less preferred service provider after each examination of a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands not having the more preferred service provider.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the communication device further modifies the frequency band search schedule using information from a keyboard.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the communication device identifies the more preferred service provider by comparing identities of service providers specified by an identifier received from each frequency band being examined with a prioritized list of service providers.

10. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands without reference to the other stored frequency bands and determining whether the one of the frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if not then examining each of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule.

11. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands to determine whether the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, then associating the wireless communication device with the more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule.

12. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands to determine whether the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, then no longer performing examination for other preferred service providers, and if the one of the stored frequency bands does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule.

13. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by a) examining a first frequency band to determine whether the first frequency band has a more preferred service provider; and

if not, then b) examining a second frequency band to determine whether the second frequency band has a more preferred service provider; and

c) repeating step (b) until a frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule.

14. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands without reference to the other stored frequency bands and determining whether the one of the frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if not then examining each of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

15. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands to determine whether the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, then associating the wireless communication device with the more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

16. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands to determine whether the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, then no longer performing examination for other preferred service providers, and if the one of the stored frequency bands does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

17. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     3) determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by a) examining a first frequency band to determine whether the first frequency band has a more preferred service provider; and

if not, then b) examining a second frequency band to determine whether the second frequency band has a more preferred service provider; and

c) repeating step (b) until a frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

18. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequency bands; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     2) determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands without reference to the other stored frequency bands and determining whether the one of the frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if not then examining each of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.

19. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequency bands; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     2) determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands to determine whether the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, then associating the wireless communication device with the more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.

20. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequency bands; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     2) determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequency bands to determine whether the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequency bands has a more preferred service provider, then no longer performing examination for other preferred service providers, and if the one of the stored frequency bands does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequency bands until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.

21. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequency bands; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     2) determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by a) examining a first frequency band to determine whether the first frequency band has a more preferred service provider; and

if not, then b) examining a second frequency band to determine whether the second frequency band has a more preferred service provider; and

c) repeating step (b) until a frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located, and

     3) registers with the located more preferred service provider.

22. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequency bands; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands,

     2) determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.

23. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in one frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code enabling identification of the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the examination is conducted by locating a strongest signal above a threshold.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the communication device retunes to the one frequency with the less preferred service provider after each examination of a frequency of the plurality of frequencies not having the more preferred service provider.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the communication device further modifies the search schedule using information from a keypad.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the communication device identifies the more preferred service provider by comparing identities of service providers specified by an identifier received from each frequency being examined with a prioritized list of service providers.

28. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in one frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule,

receiving confirmation information from the communication device at the wireless service provider that the modification information has been transmitted.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the communication device retunes to the one frequency with the less preferred service provider after each examination of a frequency of the plurality of frequencies not having the more preferred service provider.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the communication device further modifies the search schedule using information from a keyboard.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the communication device identifies the more preferred service provider by comparing identities of service providers specified by an identifier received from each frequency being examined with a prioritized list of service providers.

32. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies without reference to the other stored frequencies and determining whether the one of the frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if not, then examining each of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule.

33. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies to determine whether the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, then associating the wireless communication device with the more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule.

34. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies to determine whether the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, then no longer performing examination for other preferred service providers, and if the one of the stored frequencies does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code form the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule.

35. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by a) examining a first frequency to determine whether the first frequency has a more preferred service provider; and

if not, then b) examining a second frequency to determine whether the second frequency has a more preferred service provider; and

c) repeating step (b) until a frequency having a more preferred service provider is located, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule.

36. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies without reference to the other stored frequencies and determining whether the one of the frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if not, then examining each of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

37. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining each of the frequencies until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies to determine whether the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, associating the wireless communication device with the more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

38. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies to determine whether the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, then no longer performing examination for other preferred service providers, and if the one of the stored frequencies does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

39. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device:

1) receiving a plurality of frequencies,

     2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     3) determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examining each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by a) examining a first frequency to determine whether the first frequency has a more preferred service provider; and

if not, then b) examining a second frequency to determine whether the second frequency has a more preferred service provider; and

c) repeating step (b) until a frequency having a more preferred service provider is located, and

     4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule,

the wireless service provider receiving confirmation information from the communication device that the modification information has been transmitted.

40. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequencies; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     2) determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies without reference to the other stored frequencies and determining whether the one of the frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if not, then examining each of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.

41. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequencies; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     2) determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies to determine whether the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, then associating the wireless communication device with the more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequencies until a frequency band is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.

42. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequencies; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     2) determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by examining one of the stored frequencies to determine whether the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, and if the one of the stored frequencies has a more preferred service provider, then no longer performing examination for other preferred service providers, and if the one of the stored frequencies does not have a more preferred service provider, then examining other ones of the frequencies until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.

43. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequencies; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     2) determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, the examination being further conducted by a) examining a first frequency to determine whether the first frequency has a more preferred service provider; and

if not, then b) examining a second frequency to determine whether the second frequency has a more preferred service provider; and

c) repeating step (b) until a frequency having a more preferred service provider is located, and

     3) registers with the located more preferred service provider.

44. A communication device that locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule stored in the communication device that specifies a predetermined order of frequencies, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives a plurality of frequencies; and

a controller that;

     1) associates with a less preferred service provider in a frequency of the plurality of frequencies,

     2) determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency used does not have a more preferred service provider, examines each of the frequencies of the plurality of frequencies in the predetermined order until a frequency is located having a more preferred service provider, and

     3) registers with the more preferred service provider.