Methods and systems to provide a home system with information about a wireless
unit roaming in a visited system based on information the wireless unit provides
to the visited system. A mobile switching center (MSC-V) of the visited system
receives the information from the wireless unit and routes a message to an international
gateway. In response, the international gateway creates a new message or alters
the original message, and transmits the new or altered message to a mobile switching
center (MSC-H) of the home system. In response to receipt of the new or altered
message, the MSC-H validates the wireless unit (if valid), creates a response to
the new or altered message, and routes the response to the international gateway.
The response may include an authorization period for the wireless unit and/or OCOS/TCOS
information. In response, the international gateway creates a new response or alters
the response, and transmits the new or altered response to the MSC-V. In response
to receipt of the new or altered response, the MSC-V registers the wireless unit,
provides the wireless unit with communication services in the visited system, or
otherwise follows instructions in the new or altered response. If the wireless
unit moves to an area served by a second MSC-V, the second MSC-V checks with the
international gateway about the wireless unit. If an authorization period is in
effect, the international gateway may provide a validation of the wireless unit
to the second MSC-V without another message to the home system of the wireless unit.