In a cellular telephone terminal having increased storage capability, ease of entry and access for data stored therein is provided through utilization of a computer equipped with a modem, a wired telephone network and the cellular telephone network. A user utilizes the ease of data entry implicit to modern computers through dedicated or existing personal information organizers to input data into a database, such as a personal dialing directory, at the computer. For the entering of data at the cellular telephone terminal, first the terminal, also equipped with a modem, is configured in a data download mode where data can be received from the computer and entered into on-board storage. The computer then places a modem telephone call to the terminal, either directly or through a network translator, and transfers the data into the terminal. The data is then accessible through standard data recall techniques using a display and interface keys on the telephone terminal.

A mobile station is provided for transmitting and receiving communication signals over the air. The mobile station includes a memory storing user preference information, a receiver adapted to receive an over-the-air information signal including user preference information, and a user preference program in the mobile station adapted to change the user preference information in the memory according to user preference information in a received over-the-air information signal. The mobile station is remote from a master control unit selectively activatible for transmitting the over-the-air information including select user preference information input at the master control unit.

A method of determining a communication partner's technical address for a user. A directory is provided that includes at least one technical address and at least one identifier for each one of a plurality of possible communication partners for a user. Based on an input from the user, at least one communication partner is obtained from the directory and is suggested to the user. At least one of the steps of providing the directory or suggesting the communication partner is performed automatically based on the user's previous communication behavior. A telecommunications apparatus is provided for performing the method.

A method and system are disclosed whereby a mobile phone user can select one or more service preferences for the mobile phone from a simulated mobile phone display on an Internet web page. The user can access the web page from a personal or business computer. Once the selection has been made, the user can save the preferences to a server in the mobile phone network. The server contains (or provides links to) the full complement of services that are available for selection. The selected services' applications are downloaded from the server to the mobile phone (via the network) either immediately (if a network connection is already made) or the next time the phone is turned on. Consequently, the user can readily obtain the services desired, and also customize the display and "look and feel" of the mobile phone.

A cellular telephone maintains a screening list of calling party numbers, and specifies call handling therefor. A mobile switching center is responsive to selected types of the specified call handling. The call handling can depend on whether the call is local or non-local, which is affected by the location of the cellular telephone. The call handling can also depend on the time at which the call is made. A subscriber updates his or her screening list via personal computer, and transmits via a communication network the updated screening list to a message center which sends the updated screening list to the cellular telephone via wireless communication. A calling party number can be specified as a wildcard.