A system and method for activating a subscriber identification module
(SIM) based mobile device in a PCS/ANSI type wireless network. The method
comprises pre-programming the SIM card of the mobile device with
temporary activation identifiers, such as an international mobile station
identity (IMSI) and/or a mobile identification number (MIN), and a
temporary electronic serial number. The temporary electronic serial
number, rather than the mobile device actual electronic serial number, is
used to identify the mobile device during registration and activation.
The network identifies the temporary electronic serial number associated
with the SIM vendor and invokes an over-the-air activation procedure
especially for the SIM card mobile devices. A SIM-over-the-air-activation
processor is notified to perform the activation for that mobile device on
the PCS wireless network. Authentication of the mobile device may be
bypassed and the mobile device is instructed to transmit its actual
electronic serial number for future registrations. Once the activation
process is completed, the temporary activation identifiers are
overwritten.