A method (400) and a multi-mode wireless communication device (700) for identifying a preferred system. The multi-mode wireless communication device (700) receives (404) preferred roaming list information ("PRL") including system identifier information such as System Identification, Network Identification, and Service Set Identifier, and enhanced roaming indicators ("ERI") associated with the system identifier information, transmits (408) a request for functionality extension table information, receives (410) the functionality extension table information, identifies (414) a currently available preferred system based upon the system identifier information; and conveys (416) information indicative of the identified currently available preferred system based upon the functionality extension table information.
A method and system of providing a mobile data device in a wireless system with information about preferred networks to connect to, the mobile data device having a preferred roaming list with a list of networks, the method comprising the steps of: adding to the preferred roaming list information about whether each network in the list of networks supports third generation data capabilities; and determining preferred networks based on information within the preferred roaming list including a geographic area and whether the network supports third generation data capabilities, whereby, within the geographic area, the mobile data device prefers networks which support third generation data capabilities over networks which do not support said third generation data capabilities. Other information that may be added to the preferred roaming list includes whether the network supports data roaming, Mobile IP services or always-on features. The preferred roaming list may also include information about the device service capabilities.
Wireless devices with different capabilities may use a single file containing multiple (e.g., two) PRLs for system selection and acquisition. A first PRL in the file has a first (e.g., IS-683-A) format and includes PRL information for, e.g., 1x systems. A second PRL has a second (e.g., IS-683-C) format and includes PRL information for, e.g., 1x and 1xEV-DO systems or just 1xEV-DO systems. A legacy wireless device supporting only IS-683-A would read and use the first PRL for system selection and acquisition and ignore the second PRL. A wireless device supporting IS-683-C would read the second PRL and (1) use the second PRL by itself if it contains PRL information for both 1x and 1xEV-DO systems or (2) combine the first and second PRLs to generate a combined PRL if the second PRL contains PRL information for only 1xEV-DO systems.
A method for synchronizing multiple database that are provided at different times is provided. As a wireless communication device (102) leaves a first region (104) and enters a second region (108), it is provided with a new preferred roaming list information (204) which may no longer be synchronized with a stored functionality extension table. Based upon information included in the new preferred roaming list information, an appropriate functionality extension table (214) that is synchronized to the new preferred roaming list is received.
