A computer-implemented method, computer-readable media, and wireless system that passively provisions wireless devices over the air are provided. The wireless system includes a database, handset configuration manager, and radio network controller. The database stores updates for the wireless devices and indications of which wireless devices received the updates. The handset configuration manager provides updates for wireless devices available in the database. The wireless devices connect to a communication network associated with a network service provider that implements the handset configuration manager. The radio network controller communicates with wireless devices by establishing a slot 0 communication session with the wireless devices after receiving a registration notification from the wireless devices.