diff --git a/core/res/res/values/strings.xml b/core/res/res/values/strings.xml
index 51d64293d534d..ada26441c4d6e 100755
--- a/core/res/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -3976,6 +3976,9 @@
        you will be asked to unlock your phone using an email account.\n\n
        Try again in <xliff:g id="number">%d</xliff:g> seconds.
     </string>
+    <!-- Sequence of characters used to separate message strings in keyguard. Typically just em-dash
+         with spaces on either side. [CHAR LIMIT=3] -->
+    <string name="kg_text_message_separator" product="default"> \u2014 </string>
 
     <!-- Message shown in dialog when user is attempting to set the music volume above the
     recommended maximum level for headphones -->
diff --git a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
index 05edbcc321564..213d93b45541d 100644
--- a/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
+++ b/core/res/res/values/symbols.xml
@@ -1478,6 +1478,7 @@
   <java-symbol type="string" name="kg_failed_attempts_almost_at_login" />
   <java-symbol type="string" name="kg_enter_confirm_pin_hint" />
   <java-symbol type="string" name="kg_invalid_confirm_pin_hint" />
+  <java-symbol type="string" name="kg_text_message_separator" />
 
   <!-- From services -->
   <java-symbol type="anim" name="screen_rotate_0_enter" />
diff --git a/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/CarrierText.java b/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/CarrierText.java
index b031baf738eb2..f3ea9925e4523 100644
--- a/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/CarrierText.java
+++ b/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/CarrierText.java
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ import com.android.internal.telephony.IccCardConstants.State;
 import com.android.internal.widget.LockPatternUtils;
 
 public class CarrierText extends TextView {
+    private static CharSequence mSeparator;
+
     private LockPatternUtils mLockPatternUtils;
 
     private KeyguardUpdateMonitorCallback mCallback = new KeyguardUpdateMonitorCallback() {
@@ -82,6 +84,7 @@ public class CarrierText extends TextView {
     @Override
     protected void onFinishInflate() {
         super.onFinishInflate();
+        mSeparator = getResources().getString(R.string.kg_text_message_separator);
         KeyguardUpdateMonitor.getInstance(mContext).registerCallback(mCallback);
         setSelected(true); // Allow marquee to work.
     }
@@ -202,7 +205,7 @@ public class CarrierText extends TextView {
         final boolean plmnValid = !TextUtils.isEmpty(plmn);
         final boolean spnValid = !TextUtils.isEmpty(spn);
         if (plmnValid && spnValid) {
-            return plmn + "|" + spn;
+            return new StringBuilder().append(plmn).append(mSeparator).append(spn).toString();
         } else if (plmnValid) {
             return plmn;
         } else if (spnValid) {
diff --git a/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/KeyguardMessageArea.java b/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/KeyguardMessageArea.java
index 5e331e1aafbfc..f6f3fabbe58cf 100644
--- a/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/KeyguardMessageArea.java
+++ b/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/keyguard/KeyguardMessageArea.java
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ class KeyguardMessageArea extends TextView {
 
     static final int SECURITY_MESSAGE_DURATION = 5000;
     protected static final int FADE_DURATION = 750;
-    static final String SEPARATOR = "  ";
 
     // are we showing battery information?
     boolean mShowingBatteryInfo = false;
@@ -143,6 +142,8 @@ class KeyguardMessageArea extends TextView {
         }
     };
 
+    private CharSequence mSeparator;
+
     public KeyguardMessageArea(Context context) {
         this(context, null);
     }
@@ -158,6 +159,8 @@ class KeyguardMessageArea extends TextView {
         mUpdateMonitor.registerCallback(mInfoCallback);
         mHandler = new Handler(Looper.myLooper());
 
+        mSeparator = getResources().getString(R.string.kg_text_message_separator);
+
         update();
     }
 
@@ -186,23 +189,23 @@ class KeyguardMessageArea extends TextView {
         setText(status);
     }
 
-
-    private CharSequence concat(Object... args) {
+    private CharSequence concat(CharSequence... args) {
         StringBuilder b = new StringBuilder();
-        for (int i = 0; i < args.length; i++) {
-            final Object arg = args[i];
-            if (arg instanceof CharSequence) {
-                b.append((CharSequence)args[i]);
-                b.append(SEPARATOR);
-            } else if (arg instanceof String) {
-                b.append((String)args[i]);
-                b.append(SEPARATOR);
+        if (!TextUtils.isEmpty(args[0])) {
+            b.append(args[0]);
+        }
+        for (int i = 1; i < args.length; i++) {
+            CharSequence text = args[i];
+            if (!TextUtils.isEmpty(text)) {
+                if (b.length() > 0) {
+                    b.append(mSeparator);
+                }
+                b.append(text);
             }
         }
         return b.toString();
     }
 
-
     CharSequence getCurrentMessage() {
         return mShowingMessage ? mMessage : null;
     }