Methods and systems are provided that authenticate an intended user of a mobile client in a roaming environment. One embodiment of the invention provides a mobile communication network architecture that includes a first base station (e.g., a first base station controller and/or a first transceiver station), a second base station (e.g., a second base station controller and/or a second transceiver station), a mobile client, and a server coupled to the mobile client via either the first base station controller or the second base station. The first base station is coupled to an authentication center that authenticates an intended user so that the user can communicate a message between the mobile client and the server via the first base station. A credential (or status) of the authentication made at the authentication center is then transmitted from the first base station to the second base station when the mobile client moves to utilize the second base station to communicate with the server.