GB2426408A

GB2426408A - A system for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network

Info

Publication number: GB2426408A
Application number: GB0510249A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Prashant Agarwal; John Jennings
Original assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2005-05-19
Filing date: 2005-05-19
Publication date: 2006-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-19
Also published as: GB2426408B; GB0510249D0

Abstract

A system for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, the system comprising at least one base station and at least one mobile communication device each base station comprising means for periodically transmitting a personalisation signal, each mobile communication device comprising means for periodically receiving the network personalisation signal from a network, means for activating a network personalisation process, means for performing the network personalisation process by comparing a network identifier stored in the communication device with a network identifier stored on a temporary storage device (SIM) carried by the communication device and means for permitting or preventing further use of the communication device in dependence on the result of the comparison.

Description

A System for Re-Personalisinci a Mobile Communication Device The present

invention relates to a system for re-personalising a mobile communication device and, in particular, personalising a mobile communication device to a network using a cell broadcast message.

One of the ways in which network operators attract new customers is by offering modern handsets at low prices. In return for the low price handset the customer must subscribe to the network for a pre-defined time period defined in a contract.

The contractual monthly tariffs paid by the customer during this contract and the commitment by the customer to make chargeable calls on the network during the contract period subsidise the cost of the handset and this enables the network operators to provide handsets to the customers at a low price. Thus, by entering a contract the customer obtains a handset for a fraction of the value of the handset.

In order to ensure that the customer uses his handset to make calls on the network from whom he bought the handset rather than using the handset to make calls on other networks, network operators configure their mobile communication handsets such that they will only operate on their network or on a plurality of pre- agreed networks. This feature of limiting the networks with which a handset will operate is known as network personalisation. In this way, network operators do not lose revenue from users making calls from the same handset on different networks at different times in order to obtain a cheaper call rate. Typically, the handset is personalised during manufacture or sale. Additionally, handsets may be personalised to a specific subscriber identification module (SIM) or universal SIM (USIM) and so they will only operate with that SIM/USIM.

A further reason for the network operators to personalise their handsets is to deter mobile phone theft. If a third party steals a mobile phone which is personalised to a specific network, he will only be able to use that phone with a SIM/USIM subscribed to the same network. Thus, he would not be able to use the SIM/USIM of a different network in the stolen handset. Therefore, a person who obtains a stolen handset may find that he is unable to use that handset with his SIM/USIM if his SIM/USIM belongs to a different network.

A mobile handset is personalised by storing personalisation data in the handset to define the networks with which the handset is authorised to operate. Typically, the personalisation data is stored in the handset in the form of a code which includes a Mobile Country Code (MCC) and a Mobile Network Code (MNC). SIM cards which are used in combination with the handset and which enable the handset to communicate with the network carry similar data indicating the country codes and networks on which they operate.

Typically, handsets include a network personalisation indicator which prompts the handset to compare the network personalisation data which is stored on the handset, to define with which networks it is authorised to be used, with personalisation data stored on the SIM, which identifies with which networks it operates. If the network personalisation data on the handset does not include the network data of the SIM/USIM, the comparison fails and the handset may not be used with that SIM/USIM. The handset then enters a limited service state in which only emergency calls may be made. If the personalisation data of the handset matches that of the SIM then the handset may make calls on the network. Typically, the network personalisation indicator prompts comparison of the personalisation data at power up or whenever a SIM/USIM is inserted into the handset.

Sometimes, network operators, phone retailers, superstores etc. sell handsets which are de-personalised and so do not compare the network personalisation data of the handset and the SIM. However, such handsets are sold at much higher prices since the handset may be used with any network and so the operator may not make as much financial return on call charges. Additionally, on the expiry of a fixed term contract during which the phone is personalised to a network, network operators may agree to de-personalise the phone by switching off the network personalisation indicator. Typically, the network personalisation indicator is switched off by the network provider using a Network Control Key (NCK).

A big concern for network operators is the unauthorised depersonalisation of mobile handsets. There are many illegal tools in the market which enable a user to de-personalise his handset.

A de-personalised handset may be used with a SIM/USIM of any network since the handset does not compare the personalisation codes of the handset and SIM and prevent normal usage if the codes do not match. Such de-personalisation can be linked to mobile phone crime since it enables stolen modern and expensive handsets to be de-personalised in order that they can be sold on as being compatible with a SIM/USIM of any network.

Problems caused by unauthorised de-personalisation of handsets affect both mobile phone manufacturers and network operators. Network operators lose revenue since users can use their phones to make calls on other networks.

Normally the network would expect the user to be making calls on its network only during the contract period and, those costs would help to subsidise the cost of the handset. Additionally, modern or expensive phones or handsets which are particularly easy to de-personalise, for which the network operator has paid, become targets for mobile phone thieves which, again, leads to loss of revenue for the network operators.

Both problems can lead to reduced credibility of the network manufacturers with the network operators which may lead to the handset manufacturer losing their supply contract with network operators. Also bad media publicity is likely to deter customers from the manufacturer's brand.

We have appreciated that unauthorised de-personalisation of mobile communication handsets is costly to network operators and can lead to the reduced credibility of the handset manufacturer, which will lead to loss of revenue by the handset manufacturer. Therefore, it would be beneficial to deter unauthorised de-personalisation of mobile communication handsets.

Embodiments of the present invention make the process of de-personalising a mobile communication handset without authorisation from the network less attractive by repeatedly transmitting a re-personalisation signal across a network to handsets which should be personalised to the network. The re-personalisation signal includes a command to re-personalise the handset.

Preferred embodiments of the invention transmit the re-personalisation data in a cell broadcast message which will be received by all handsets within the coverage area of the broadcast. In further preferred embodiments, the cell broadcast message includes a personalisation message ID which identifies that it is associated with re-personalisation of the handset. During initial personalisation, each handset is programmed to identify the personalisation message ID and process the broadcast. Therefore, whenever the handset receives a re-personalisation cell broadcast message it processes the broadcast and re-personalises itself to the network. Each message ID is associated with a particular network. Also, the handset will need to potentially contain many IDs for multiple networks.

Although embodiments of the invention do not prevent the depersonalisation of mobile handsets they act to deter de-personalisation since whenever the re- personalisation signal is received the handset is re-personalised to the authorised network and the user will have to go the trouble of de- personalising the handset again if they wish to use the handset with a different network. The more regularly the network transmits the re- personalisation signals, the less attractive it will be for users to de- personalise their handsets.

The invention is defined in its various aspects in the appended claims to which reference should now be made.

An embodiment of the invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the communication link between the network and mobile communication device.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing the steps taken to personalise a handset during an initial handset personalisation procedure.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing the procedure for re-personalising a handset when a re-personalisation message is received from the network.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a mobile communication device used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 depicts a standard communication link between a network and a mobile communication device. The present invention may be employed in any type of communication equipment which operates on a communication network, for example a computer or mobile telephone handset. For the purposes of example, the following description describes the invention in operation with a mobile phone handset however the invention is equally applicable to any type of communication equipment operating across a communication network.

The network transmits signals 30 to the handset 10 from a base station 20. The type of transmissions used by the network to communicate with the handset include point-to-point messages or cell broadcast messages. A point-to-point message is a single and individual message sent from the network to a handset.

The handset is identified by the network by its unique identification number. A cell broadcast message is a single broadcast by the network to all handsets within a defined geographical area known as a cell broadcast area. The cell broadcast message is received by all handsets in the broadcast area and enables a network to transmit the same message at the same time to a number of handsets via a single transmission. The advantage of cell broadcast messages over point to point messages is that the same message can be sent to a plurality of handsets by a single broadcast. In contrast, point to point messages would require the same message to be sent separately to each handset. Such repeated transmission requires and blocks up a much larger bandwidth of the network.

Each cell broadcast message is assigned a message class which categorises the type of information that it contains, for example SIM updates, travel information or news about a particular sports team. These classes are identified by a message ID which is contained within the cell broadcast message. Each handset contains an active message ID list which contains the message IDs associated with classes of cell broadcast messages that the handset wishes to receive. During configuration, or when a user subscribes to receive a particular category of cell broadcast messages, the message ID associated with the cell broadcast messages required by the user are placed in the active message ID list. When a cell broadcast message is received by the handset, the message ID of the broadcast is compared with those message IDs which appear in the active message ID list. If the message ID of the cell broadcast message appears in the active list, the cell broadcast message is processed. Otherwise, the cell broadcast message is ignored. Thus, the active message ID list enables the handset to filter out those cell broadcast messages that it does not wish to receive.

In embodiments of the invention, the network transmits a repersonalisation message to all handsets which should be personalised to the network at that time. The message contains all relevant information about the personalisation, for example the network to which the handset should be personalised, as well as the required code or command to set the network personalisation indicator to "on". On receiving the message the handset will process the message and re-set the network personalisation indicator to on. Therefore, any handsets which have been de-personalised without authorisation from the network such that the network personalisation indicator has been switched off will receive and process the message and will re-set the network personalisation indicator to "on".

In preferred embodiments of the invention the re-personalisation message is transmitted in a cell broadcast message. The cell broadcast message includes the network personalisation ID which should be present in the active message ID list of all handsets which should be personalised to the network. On receiving the cell broadcast message, all handsets which contain the personalisation message ID of the cell broadcast message in the active message ID list will process the message and re-set the network personalisation indicator. Preferred embodiments of the invention use cell broadcast messages since they will be sending the same message to multiple handsets. The cell broadcast message enables the network to re-personalise multiple handsets via a single transmission. The single cell broadcast message uses less network band width than point-to-point messages sent individually to each handset since only a single broadcast is required for all handsets.

An example of a mark-up language that can be defined for a repersonalisation cell broadcast message is; Personalisation message ID: 111111 START: CBSPECIAL LOCK: XXXXX NETWORK CODE: XXXXXXX NETWORK CODE: xxxxxx NETWORK CODE: yyyyyyy END: CBSPECIAL In the above example, the repersonalisation message ID 111111 is the message ID used by the network to indicate that the cell broadcast message is a re- personalisation cell broadcast message. This is the ID that should appear in the active list of all handsets which should be personalised to the network. The START and END commands indicate the start and end of the personalisation message. The LOCK command indicates the type of lock to be personalised, typically the cell broadcast message would personalise the handset to the network but it may be possible to personalise to a SIM/USIM (in practice these are unlikely to be used in cell broadcast messages since multiple handsets, each having a different SIM, will be receiving the same broadcast). The network code is the command to turn on the network personalisation indicator for the relevant lock. A single message may include a single or multiple network codes eg.

XXXXXX, xxxxxx or yyyyyy.

The MessagelDs will be download messagelDs (CBMIDs) and so the handset will still receive the message irrespective of the end user turning off the CB message.

Embodiments of the invention may transmit the re-personalisation message using point-to-point messages. In this case, since the re-personalisation message will be sent to individual, and uniquely identifiable, handsets, the message will not need to include a message ID since the network will send the message only to handsets which it know should be personalised. Point-to-point messages will include the same identification of the network to which the handset should be personalised and the code to reset the network personalisation indicator to on as in the cell broadcast message. Alternatively, other bearers, for example PS push messages, can also be used to re-personalise the handset in the same way.

The re-personalisation message is transmitted repeatedly by the network. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the re-personalisation message is transmitted at random time intervals since, if the re-personalisation message is transmitted at a regular time, unauthorised de-personalised users could, possibly, discover when re-personalisation messages were transmitted and could turn off their handset at that time to avoid receiving the message. However, embodiments of the invention may transmit the message at periodic intervals or any other interval.

In further embodiments the network provider is able to update the personalisation data (MCC and MNC) for the handset and the SIM/USIM. This would typically be required if the network changed its code for any reason. In such embodiments, the message from the network would identify the network code to be updated and the new code. The handset receives and process the message in the normal way, if the message ID appears in its active message ID list, but, additionally, updates the personalisation data on the handset and SIM/USIM.

Figure 2 shows the steps taken during the initial network personalisation of the handset. At 210, the handset is personalised to the network. Typically, in this step, the handset is programmed with the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and the Mobile Network Code (MNC) specific to the network to which the handset is subscribed in order to specify that the handset may only be used with the identified network. Further embodiments may personalise the handset to more than one network. The network personalisation indicator in the handset is then switched "on" at 220 in order that, on power-up or after the SIM/USIM has been changed, the network codes are read from the SIM/USIM and checked against those stored on the handset. Normal operation will only be permitted if the network codes on the handset match those on the SIM/USIM.

Whenever a SIM/USIM is inserted, or the ME is powered-up with a SIM/USIM already in place, the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) is read from the SIM/USIM and the embedded network code (MCC+MNC) is checked against that stored in the ME. If the value differ, the MS shall go into emergency calls only' mode..

At 230 the network personalisation message ID associated with repersonalisation cell broadcast messages transmitted by the network is placed in the active message ID list for the handset. Once the personalisation message ID is placed in the active message ID list, this ensures that whenever a re-personalisation cell broadcast message is received which contains the personalisation message ID, the handset will process the message. Networks who transmit re-personalisation messages via point to point messages will not require this final step.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the initial network personalisation step 210-230 are performed at the factory or at the sales outlet.

Figure 3 shows the steps taken by the handset when a cell broadcast message re-personalisation message is received by the handset. At 310 the handset receives a cell broadcast message containing a re-personalisation message ID.

At 320 the handset compares the message ID contained within the cell broadcast message with the message ID stored on its active message ID list. If the re- personalisation message ID is not in the active message ID list at 320 then the message is ignored at 330. However, if the re-personalisation message ID appears in the active message ID list at 320 then the message is processed at 340.

At 350 the handset identifies from the cell broadcast message what type of personalisation the message is related to. Typically, this step will identify network personalisation. At 360 the handset processes the part of the cell broadcast message which activates and turns on the network personalisation indicator associated with the personalisation identified in the broadcast. The reason for the identification step is that the handset may have several personalisation indicators which are checked against the SIM/USIM, for example network and SIM/USIM personalisation. The identification step enables the handset to turn on the relevant personalisation indicator rather than switching all indicators on. For example, the handset may have a personalisation indicator for both the network and the SIM/USIM the identification step enables the cell broadcast message to specify that the re-personalisation message is only associated with the network personalisation. Therefore, if the SIM/USIM personalisation indicator has been switched off then such a cell broadcast message would not turn the personalisation indicator associated with the SIM/USIM back on.

In further embodiments, the re-personalisation message is sent by a pointto- point message. In this case, since the message is sent specifically to a particular handset, embodiments of the invention may not require a message ID. In this case, the message would simply include identification of the type of personalisation to be re-set and the command to switch on the personalisation indicator relating to that particular personalisation.

Figure 4 is block diagram showing the hardware within a handset 400 which is configured to operate within the present invention. The handset includes an aerial 410 for receiving signals from a network. The handset includes a signal analyser 420 which decodes the received broadcast and determines whether the broadcast includes any personalisation message IDs. The active message ID list 430 is stored in the memory 425 and, on receiving a broadcast including a message ID, the received message ID is compared with the message ID stored in the active message ID list. If the message ID of the broadcast matches the message ID in the active list, then the broadcast is forwarded to the CPU 440 to be fully decoded.

The handset also includes a list of personalisation settings 450, including network, SIM etc, and a series of personalisation indicators, each of which is associated with a particular personalisation setting. When the handset is switched on or a new SIM/USIM is placed in the handset the personalisation indicator prompts the handset to compare the personalisation codes stored in the handset with those stored on the SIM/USIM 470.

On decoding the message, the handset sets the personalisation indicators to "on" for which ever personalisation settings are specified in the cell broadcast message. When the personalisation indicator is set to "on" this triggers comparison on the personalisation codes of the handset with those of the SIM at power-up and on changing the SIM.

Embodiments of the present invention which transmit re-personalisation messages via cell broadcast messages rely on the personalisation message ID associated with the re-personalisation cell broadcast message appearing in the active message ID list of the handset. If the personalisation message ID does not appear in the active message ID list then, when the handset receives a re- personalisation cell broadcast message, the message will be ignored since the message ID of the received broadcast does not match those message IDs stored in the active message ID list. Due to the fact that the presence of the re- personalisation message ID appearing in the active message ID list is essential to embodiments which operate with cell broadcast messages, the active message ID list should be sufficiently secure that the re- personalisation cell broadcast message ID can only be removed with authorisation from the network.

As discussed above, the active message ID list is stored in the handset rather than on the SIM/USIM. Therefore, even if a user has unlocked the handset and replaced the network SIM/USIM with one from a different network, he will still receive the cell broadcast message and this will be filtered by the active ID list in the handset. Thus, a user cannot avoid receiving the cell broadcast message and having the handset repersonalised by unlocking the handset and operating it with a different SIM/USIM.

In practice, a handset may only be required to be personalised to the network for a pre-determined time period. For example, if the user subscribes to a 12 month contract, after the 12 months have expired the network operator may allow the handset to be de-personalised. In this case, after the 12 month period expired the user would not wish to receive the re-personalisation cell broadcast message.

In order to avoid receiving these cell broadcast messages, the network may remove the re-personalisation message ID from the active message ID list after the expiry of the contract period.

Embodiments of the present invention may be used in a broader manner to re-set any of the operator settings across the air from a remote location. For example in a scenario where the roaming arrangement with other network operators changes over time, this technique could be used to dynamically adjust the locks or operator specific settings such as default APN etc. Therefore, embodiments of the invention do not just relate to security settings but also to any other country specific settings that an operator would not want changed by a user.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention do not prevent unauthorised de-personalisation of the handset by switching off the network personalisation indicator. Embodiments of the invention provide the facility for networks to repersonalise the handsets of their subscribers remotely via a point-topoint message or a cell broadcast message. Thus, any user who depersonalises his handset without authorisation from the network will have his handset re-personalised whenever the network transmits a repersonalisation transmission. This re-personalisation will require a user who has de-personalised the handset without authorisation to depersonalise the handset each time he receives a re-personalisation message. Depending on the regularity with which the network transmits the re-personalisation messages, users who de- personalise their handsets without authorisation from the network should be deterred from de-personalising their handsets.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a

network, comprising the steps of: periodically receiving a network personalisation signal from a network; activating a network personalisation process, performing the network personalisation process by comparing a network identifier stored in the communication device with a network identifier stored on a temporary storage device carried by the communication device; and permitting or preventing further use of the communication device in dependence on the result of the comparison.
2. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1 wherein further use of the communication device is permitted if network identifier stored on the temporary storage device is stored within the communication device.
3. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the network personalisation signal includes data to update the network identifiers stored on the communication device and on the temporary storage device.
4. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the signal is a cell broadcast message.
5. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 4 wherein the signal includes a message ID indicating that the cell broadcast message is a network personalisation cell broadcast message and the mobile communication device includes a message ID list, the message ID list containing the message IDs of cell broadcast messages that it will process, the method comprising the further step of comparing the message ID of the broadcast with the message IDs on the list and activating the network personalisation process in dependence on the message ID of the broadcast appearing in the list.
6. A method for personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the signal is received at regular time intervals.
7. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the signal is received at random time intervals.
8. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
9. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, comprising: means for periodically receiving a network personalisation signal from a network; means for activating a network personalisation process, means for performing the network personalisation process by comparing a network identifier stored in the communication device with a network identifier stored on a temporary storage device carried by the communication device; and means for permitting or preventing further use of the communication device in dependence on the result of the comparison.
10. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9 wherein further use of the communication device is permitted if network identifier stored on the temporary storage device is stored within the communication device.
11. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the network personalisation signal includes data to update the network identifiers stored on the communication device and on the temporary storage device.
12. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein the signal is a cell broadcast message.
13. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 12 wherein the signal includes a message ID indicating that the cell broadcast message is a network personalisation cell broadcast message and the mobile communication device includes a message ID list, the message ID list containing the message IDs of cell broadcast messages that it will process, the apparatus further comprising means for comparing the message ID of the broadcast with the message IDs on the list and means for activating the network personalisation process in dependence on the message ID of the broadcast appearing in the list.
14. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the signal is received at regular time intervals.
15. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 wherein the signal is received at random time intervals.
16. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
17. A system for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, the system comprising at least one base station and at least one mobile communication device; each base station comprising: means for periodically transmitting a personalisation signal, each mobile communication device comprising: means for periodically receiving the network personalisation signal from a network; means for activating a network personalisation process, means for performing the network personalisation process by comparing a network identifier stored in the communication device with a network identifier stored on a temporary storage device carried by the communication device; and means for permitting or preventing further use of the communication device in dependence on the result of the comparison.

17. A system for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, the system comprising at least one base station and at least one mobile communication device; each base station comprising: means for periodically transmitting a personalisation signal, each mobile communication device comprising: means for periodically receiving the network personalisation signal from a network; means for activating a network personalisation process, means for performing the network personalisation process by comparing a network identifier stored in the communication device with a network identifier stored on a temporary storage device carried by the communication device; and means for permitting or preventing further use of the communication device in dependence on the result of the comparison.

18. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, comprising the steps of; periodically transmitting a network personalisation signal.

19. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, comprising; means for periodically transmitting a network personalisation signal.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, comprising the steps of: periodically receiving a network personalisation signal from a network; activating a network personalisation process, performing the network personalisation process by comparing a network identifier stored in the communication device with a network identifier stored on a temporary storage device carried by the communication device; and permitting or preventing further use of the communication device in dependence on the result of the comparison.

2. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1 wherein further use of the communication device is permitted if network identifier stored on the temporary storage device is stored within the communication device.

3. A method for re-personatising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the network personalisation signal includes data to update the network identifiers stored on the communication device and on the temporary storage device.

4. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the signal is a cell broadcast message.

5. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 4 wherein the signal includes a message ID indicating that the cell broadcast message is a network personalisation cell broadcast message and the mobile communication device includes a message ID list, the message ID list containing the message IDs of cell broadcast messages that it will process, the method comprising the further step of comparing the message ID of the broadcast with the message IDs on the list and activating the network personalisation process in dependence on the message ID of the broadcast appearing in the list.

6. A method for personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the signal is received at regular time intervals.

7. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the signal is received at random time intervals.

8. A method for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

9. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network, comprising: means for periodically receiving a network personalisation signal from a network; means for activating a network personalisation process, means for performing the network personalisation process by comparing a network identifier stored in the communication device with a network identifier stored on a temporary storage device carried by the communication device; and means for permitting or preventing further use of the communication device in dependence on the result of the comparison.

10. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9 wherein further use of the communication device is permitted if network identifier stored on the temporary storage device is stored within the communication device.

11. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the network personalisation signal includes data to update the network identifiers stored on the communication device and on the temporary storage device.

12. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein the signal is a cell broadcast message.

13. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 12 wherein the signal includes a message ID indicating that the cell broadcast message is a network personalisation cell broadcast message and the mobile communication device includes a message ID list, the message ID list containing the message IDs of cell broadcast messages that it will process, the apparatus further comprising means for comparing the message ID of the broadcast with the message IDs on the list and means for activating the network personalisation process in dependence on the message ID of the broadcast appearing in the list.

14. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the signal is received at regular time intervals.

15. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 wherein the signal is received at random time intervals.

16. An apparatus for re-personalising a mobile communication device to a network substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.