Wireless network authentication apparatus and methods

• Main Authors: NARANG MOHIT, CABALLERO RUBEN, SCHELL STEPHAN V
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.03.2014
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION; WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

Apparatus and methods for authenticating and granting a client device (e.g., cellular telephone) access to a network. In one embodiment, a network service provider such as a cellular telephone company may distribute user access (e.g., Universal Subscriber Identity Module or "USIM") credentials to a services manager via a USIM vendor. The services manager may maintain a list of authorized users. A user at a client may authenticate to the services manager. Once authenticated, the services manager may provide the user with a set of USIM credentials. When the user desires to use wireless network services, the user equipment may establish a wireless link between the user equipment and the network service provider. During authentication operations, the user equipment may use the USIM credentials to authenticate to the network service provider. Following successful authentication, the network service provider may provide the user equipment with wireless services.