Method of and system for data access over dual data channels with dynamic SIM credential
A method and apparatus provide access to communication services using dynamically assigned user credentials. The method includes establishing a communication connection with a first communication network (such as GSM, UMTS, CDMA, or LTE networks) using a real user credential (e.g., a SIM, a USIM, or an R-UIM card or certificates) in a first communication module, utilizing the first communication connection to request the dynamically assigned user credential from a remote management system, and registering a second communication module into the second communication network. The second communication connection is then tethered to allow other devices to access the Internet or other network.
1. An apparatus for providing communication services to one or more mobile devices comprising:
a first credential configured to access a first communication network establishing a first data connection with the first communication network;
a virtual credential configured to transmit authentication requests and responses between a remote server housing a second credential and a mobile operator for a second communication network, thereby registering the second credential on the second communication network, wherein authentication signaling for establishing a second data connection with the second communication network is transmitted over the first communication network between the virtual credential and the second credential via the first data connection; and
wherein the connector is configured to determine the second credential from among a pool of credentials each associated with a different mobile network operator, wherein the selection is based on a service metric of the credential on the second communication network.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second credential comprises a SIM card, a USIM card, or an R-UIM card.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:
a first modem wirelessly coupling the apparatus to the first network; and a second modem wirelessly coupling the apparatus to the second communication network.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a Wi-Fi transceiver configured to communicate with the one or more mobile clients.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising an adapter, wherein the virtual credential and the adapter are configured to translate authentication requests into a TCP/IP format for transmission to the second credential and to translate authentication responses into electrical signals for transmission to the second modem.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second communication networks both comprise wireless networks.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second communications networks is a GSM network, a UMTS network, a CDMA network, or an LTE network.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a module configured to tether one or more mobile devices to the second network using a Wi-Fi protocol, a Bluetooth PAN protocol, or a USB protocol.