Method and apparatus for packet data service discovery

1. A mobile device capable of supporting packet data services and voice services offered by wireless networks, the mobile device comprising:

a memory;

a packet data services blacklist provided in the memory, the packet data services blacklist identifying wireless networks that do not provide packet data services to the mobile device, the packet data services blacklist being based on previous packet data service authentication rejections and being distinct from a voice services blacklist;

a historical blacklist provided in the memory, distinct from the packet data services blacklist and the voice services blacklist, the historical blacklist identifying wireless networks that are no longer in the packet data services blacklist and were once in the packet data services blacklist within a particular time period;

a processor for updating the packet data services blacklist in response to newly received packet data service authentication information, and for determining whether a current system identifier is stored in the historical blacklist in response to a determination that there are no wireless networks newly blacklisted in relation to the mobile device for which an identification has not been communicated to a second device.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a transceiver for exchanging packet data service authentication information with the wireless networks.

3. A packet data service authentication system, comprising:

a mobile device capable of supporting packet data services and voice services offered by wireless networks; and

a second device,

the mobile device including,

a memory;

a packet data services blacklist provided in the memory, the packet data services blacklist identifying wireless networks that do not provide packet data services to the mobile device, the packet data services blacklist being based on previous packet data service authentication rejections and being distinct from a voice services blacklist;

a historical blacklist provided in the memory, distinct from the packet data services blacklist and the voice services blacklist, the historical blacklist identifying wireless networks that are no longer in the packet data services blacklist and were once in the packet data services blacklist within a particular time period; and

a processor for updating the packet data services blacklist in response to newly received packet data service authentication information, and for determining whether a current system identifier is stored in the historical blacklist in response to a determination that there are no wireless networks newly blacklisted in relation to the mobile device for which an identification has not been communicated to the second device.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the mobile device further comprises a transceiver for exchanging packet data service authentication information with the wireless networks.

5. A packet data service authentication system, comprising:

a mobile device capable of supporting packet data services and voice services offered by wireless networks; and

a home server,

the mobile device including,

a memory;

a packet data services blacklist provided in the memory, the packet data services blacklist identifying wireless networks that do not provide packet data services to the mobile device, the packet data services blacklist being based on previous packet data service authentication rejections and being distinct from a voice services blacklist;

a historical blacklist provided in the memory, distinct from the packet data services blacklist and the voice services blacklist, the historical blacklist identifying wireless networks that are no longer in the packet data services blacklist and were once in the packet data services blacklist within a particular time period; and

a processor for updating the packet data services blacklist in response to newly received packet data service authentication information, and for determining whether a current system identifier is stored in the historical blacklist;

the memory further comprising statements and instructions for execution by the processor to:

notify the home server of a change in status of the current system identifier; and

remove the current system identifier from the historical blacklist.

6. A method of data service discovery for a mobile device having a packet data services blacklist comprising:

examining the packet data services blacklist stored on the mobile device, the packet data services blacklist being distinct from a voice services blacklist;

if a detected wireless network is listed in the packet data services blacklist, refraining from making any packet data call attempts for a predetermined period of time;

otherwise, determining whether the wireless network provides packet data services to the mobile device, and adding the wireless network to the packet data services blacklist if the wireless network does not provide packet data services to the mobile device;

determining whether a current system identifier is stored in a historical blacklist in response to a determination that there are no wireless networks newly blacklisted in relation to the mobile device for which an identification has not been communicated to an other device,

the historical blacklist identifying wireless networks that are no longer in the packet data services blacklist and were once in the packet data services blacklist within a particular time period, the historical blacklist being distinct from the packet data services blacklist and the voice services blacklist.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising detecting the wireless network.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the other device comprises a home server, and further comprising:

notifying the home server of a change in status of the current system identifier; and

removing the current system identifier from the historical blacklist.

9. A packet data service authentication system, comprising:

a mobile device having a memory, the memory storing a packet data services blacklist; and

a second device;

the mobile device capable of supporting packet data services and voice services offered by wireless networks, the mobile device including a machine readable memory having statements and instructions for execution by a processor to perform a method of data service discovery for the mobile device, the method including:

examining the packet data services blacklist stored on the mobile device, the packet data services blacklist being distinct from a voice services blacklist;

if a detected wireless network is listed in the packet data services blacklist, refraining from making any packet data call attempts for a predetermined period of time;

otherwise, determining whether the wireless network provides packet data services to the mobile device, and adding the wireless network to the packet data services blacklist if the wireless network does not provide packet data services to the mobile device;

determining whether a current system identifier is stored in a historical blacklist in response to a determination that there are no wireless networks newly blacklisted in relation to the mobile device for which an identification has not been communicated to the second device,

the historical blacklist identifying wireless networks that are no longer in the packet data services blacklist and were once in the packet data services blacklist within a particular time period, the historical blacklist being distinct from the packet data services blacklist and the voice services blacklist.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the method of data service discovery for the mobile device further comprises detecting the wireless network.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the second device comprises a home server.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the machine readable memory further comprises statements and instructions for execution by the processor to:

notify the home server of a change in status of the current system identifier; and

remove the current system identifier from the historical blacklist.

13. A machine readable memory having statements and instructions for execution by a processor to perform a method of data service discovery for a mobile device having a packet data services blacklist, the method including:

detecting a wireless network;

examining the packet data services blacklist stored on the mobile device, the packet data services blacklist being distinct from a voice services blacklist;

if the detected wireless network is listed in the packet data services blacklist, refraining from making any packet data call attempts for a predetermined period of time;

otherwise, determining whether the wireless network provides packet data services to the mobile device, and adding the wireless network to the packet data services blacklist if the wireless network does not provide packet data services to the mobile device;

determining whether a current system identifier is stored in a historical blacklist in response to a determination that there are no wireless networks newly blacklisted in relation to the mobile device for which an identification has not been communicated to an other device,

the historical blacklist identifying wireless networks that are no longer in the packet data services blacklist and were once in the packet data services blacklist within a particular time period, the historical blacklist being distinct from the packet data services blacklist and the voice services blacklist.

14. The machine readable memory of claim 13 wherein the other device comprises a home server, and wherein the method further includes:

notifying the home server of a change in status of the current system identifier; and

removing the current system identifier from the historical blacklist.