Patent attributes
A mobile activation server has a secure network port to receive requests from mobile end-user devices operating on a cellular access network with a set of pre-activation credentials. The server contains a database with a stored set of pre-activation credentials for multiple such devices. An authorization engine compares one or more of the stored pre-activation credentials to those of a requesting device to determine whether the device is authorized to receive offers from the server. An offer engine supplies to authorized devices via the cellular access network a set of multiple cellular network service options, including for each of multiple cellular network service carriers at least one option for activating service on that carrier. In response to the device indicating a request for activation for one of the options, an activation engine initiates activation of the device, including securely exchanging permanent credential information between the activation server and the selected service carrier, and supplying corresponding permanent credentials to the mobile device.
