device stores a network environment profile this profile is considered to be the u201c default u201d profile at some later time the device is activated if necessary and enters the same communication area as a particular base station upon noting the presence of the electronic device at step 320 the base station transmits an encrypted sms message to the electronic device at step 330 the encrypted sms message when received by the electronic device and matched with the electronic device 39 s encryption key triggers the configuration process at step 340 at step 350 the electronic device surveys the network environment at that particular moment noting the base stations that are within range of the electronic device at step 360 it is then determined if the current network environment matches the default network environment in the event that the current network environment matches the default network environment then the electronic device is permitted to access the services of the base station at step 370 on the other hand if the current network environment does not match the default network environment then service is denied at step 380 in other embodiments of the invention instead of accepting or denying access to all services for the network access to the network can be more selective for example in one embodiment of the invention a lack of a match between the current network profile and the default profile could result in only limited low level access to the network similarly the granting and denying of access rights can be tailored to certain bit rates for example higher bit transfer rates can be granted only to those devices who are identified as being their u201c correct u201d zone of use other.