Methods, apparatus, and business techniques are disclosed for use in
mobile network communication systems. A mobile unit such as a smart phone
is preferably equipped with a wireless local area network connection and
a wireless wide area network connection. The local area network
connection is used to establish a position-dependent ecommerce network
connection with a wireless product or service access device supplied by a
vendor. A negotiation sequence is carried out to electronically contract
the services of the negotiated wireless peripheral from the vendor using
a prepaid ecommerce protocol. The negotiated wireless peripheral is a
general product or service vending device and the mobile unit acts as a
digital authentication and payment device with digital pre-paid payment
capabilities. The techniques are useful in many applications to include
ticketing and admission systems to events and other types of services
that involve ticketing.