US Patent 7133695 System and method for automatic mobile device activation

A telecommunications network includes a central service center (112) for maintaining a master system database (122, 124) and propagating to switch databases preactivation information. Local switches (114) include or are operably coupled to switch databases (126, 128) and PIN collection units (130). The central service center (112) is adapted to receive a PIN and preactivation information, and then propagate this information to the local switch databases (128). The local switches (114), associated databases and PIN collection units, are adapted to detect a power on of a cellular telephone, receive and check and PIN, and activate to allow service to the telephone. The local switches (114) are further adapted to transmit the activation information to either the central master database (122, 124) (which will then transmit to other switches) or to propagate the activation information to other switch databases itself.