At&t Intellectual Property I, L.p.

At&t Mobility Ii LLC

David Midkiff

Douglas Eng

Thomas Cast

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes providing, by a processing system including a processor, a controller function for a user plane function (UPF) of a communication network; the controller function facilitates automated procedures for authentication, deployment, configuration, testing, and/or controlling availability of the UPF, independent of a source of the UPF. The method also includes providing, by the processing system, an interface to facilitate communication between the controller function and the UPF; the controller function uses the interface to facilitate the procedures. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Remote user plane deployment and configuration

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for facilitating, at a system including at least one processor, establishment of a communication session with a device coupled to a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) by way of network equipment of a default Mobile Network Operator (MNO), receiving, at the system, information descriptive of an MNO selection, selecting, at the system, from a database of credentials of a plurality of MNOs first credential information according to the received information, wherein the first credential information is associated with a first MNO of the plurality of MNOs, and transmitting, from the system, the first credential information to the UICC over the communication session by way of the device to cause the UICC to facilitate establishment of communications with network equipment of the first MNO according to the first credential information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Apparatus and methods for provisioning devices to utilize services of mobile network operators

A system for communicating short message service messages from a SMS application to a wireless communication device. The system includes a protocol gateway for converting messages from a simple object access protocol (SOAP) to a short message peer-to-peer (SMPP) protocol. By using a SOAP protocol for a portion of communications between the SMS application and the wireless communication device, the system provides communications path in which SMS application is not required to maintain knowledge of the complex SMPP protocol. The system may also include a billing mechanism for charging subscribers for content received by the wireless communication device.

Short message service protocol gateway

Personal short codes facilitate the establishment of unique, personalized codes for accessing network services and personalized distribution lists. Users can create individualized lists of personal short codes for desired network services. Services can reside within or outside of the wireless network. Messages having personal short codes can incorporate text routing capabilities to provide routing based on the text of a message. PSCs can be of any length or combination of alphanumeric characters. Personal short codes can be entered via a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone, PDA, or laptop, or via a web browser.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

David Midkiff