Global automatic cellular provisioning

Abstract

The described method and system provide for the provisioning of a telematics unit on a telematics-equipped vehicle with cellular service information without pre-loading the information during manufacture of the vehicle or telematics unit. A telematics unit may be manufactured without cellular service information (e.g. MIN, MDN, carrier information) pre-loaded. At the vehicle assembly plant where the telematics unit is installed on a vehicle, the assembly plant's programming system may determine the final country destination for the vehicle and program the destination of the vehicle into the telematics unit. The assembly plant may further obtain vehicle attribute data (including a cellular identifier for the telematics unit) and send the data to a TSP. The TSP may then work with the wireless carrier in the destination country to assign the telematics unit a phone number and other cellular service information. After the telematics unit has determined that the vehicle is at the destination, the telematics unit may connect to a network using cellular commands to request an 'over-the-air' cellular programming session. The wireless carrier may then push a phone number and other cellular service information into the telematics unit through the over-the-air cellular programming session.