SUBSIDY-CONTROLLED HANDSET DEVICE VIA A SIM CARD USING ASYMMETRIC VERIFICATION AND METHOD THEREOF

A handset device ( 100 ) enabled for subsidy control via a SIM card ( 150 ) includes memory ( 110 ) operative to store an activation file ( 112 ) and a public key ( 114 ) and a controller ( 120 ) operatively coupled to the memory. The controller ( 120 ) is operative to send an activation file request to a SIM card ( 150 ), to receive an asymmetrically digitally signed activation file ( 214 ) from the SIM card ( 150 ), to verify the asymmetric digital signature of the activation file ( 214 ) via the public key ( 114 ) and to install the activation file ( 112 ) in the memory ( 110 ). A SIM card device ( 150 ) enabled for subsidy control of a handset device ( 100 ) includes memory ( 110 ) operative to store an activation file template ( 162 ) and a private key ( 164 ) and a controller ( 170 ) operatively coupled to the memory ( 160 ). The controller ( 170 ) is operative to receive an activation file request ( 212 ) from a handset device ( 100 ), to bind an activation file template 162 to the handset device to generate a bound activation file, to asymmetrically digitally sign the bound activation file via the private key ( 164 ) to generate an asymmetrically digitally signed activation file ( 214 ), and to send the asymmetrically digitally signed activation file ( 214 ) to the handset device ( 100 ). Related methods are also disclosed.