Over the air passive downloads

1. A computer-implemented method to update configuration information for a wireless device, the method comprising:

storing updates for wireless devices in a database;

receiving a registration notification from a wireless device;

checking the database to determine whether updates are available for the wireless device; and

when the database has an update not previously received by the wireless device:

establishing a slot 0 communication session with the wireless device after the registration notification is received from the wireless device, the slot 0 communication session prevents the wireless device from receiving calls or graphical user interface commands while communicating over the slot 0 communication channel; and

transmitting updates to the wireless device, without transmitting Short Message Service (SMS) communications to the wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the updates include preferred roaming lists that identify alternate wireless access networks that are configured to provide communication services for the wireless device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the updates include software updates.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the updates include firmware updates.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database stores an update for each wireless device subscribing to a network service provider that selects updates for storage in the database.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the database is populated with the selected updates by a handset configuration manager or open mobile alliance device management.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the registration notification is received on a slot 0 communication channel.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing a locator for the database to the wireless device when an update is available for the wireless device.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising: generating a communication session between the database and the wireless device that obtained the locator.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the locator is an Internet protocol address.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the locator is a uniform resource locator.

12. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method to update configuration information for a wireless device, the method comprising:

storing updates for wireless devices in a database;

receiving a registration notification from a wireless device;

checking the database to determine whether updates are available for the wireless device;

establishing a slot 0 communication session with the wireless device after the registration notification is received from the wireless device,

preventing, during the slot 0 communications session, the wireless device from receiving calls or graphical user interface commands;

transmitting updates to the wireless device, without transmitting Short Message Service (SMS) communications to the wireless device; and

transmitting updates for the wireless device to the wireless device when the database has an update not previously received by the wireless device and the wireless device is connected to a home agent or transmitting the updates to the home agent of the wireless device for later delivery when the wireless device is connected to a foreign network.

13. The media of claim 12 , further comprising: updating the database to indicate that the wireless device received the update.

14. The media of claim 13 , further comprising: generating reports to identify wireless devices that received the updates and wireless devices that have not received the updates.

15. The media of claim 12 , wherein the registration notification occurs after powering on the wireless device.

16. The media of claim 12 , wherein the registration notification occurs after a change in network conditions experienced by the wireless device.

17. The media of claim 16 , wherein the registration notification occurs after loss of coverage.

18. The media of claim 16 , wherein the registration notification occurs after a signal-to-noise ratio falls below a specified threshold.

19. A wireless system, the wireless system comprising:

a handset configuration manager configured to provide updates for wireless devices available in a database, wherein the updates comprise roaming lists that specify preferred networks that provide wireless communication services to the wireless devices;

the database is configured to store the updates for wireless devices and indications of which wireless devices have obtained the updates; and

a radio network controller configured to communicate with wireless devices, wherein the radio network controller establishes a slot 0 communication session with the wireless device after a registration notification is received from the wireless device, wherein the wireless device is unable to receive calls or graphical user interface commands while communicating over the slot 0 communication channel, and the radio network controller transmits updates to the wireless device, without transmitting Short Message Service (SMS) communications to the wireless device.

20. The wireless system of claim 16 , wherein the database is maintained by a network service provider and the network service provider obtains reports that indicate which wireless devices received the updates and which wireless devices did not receive the updates stored in the database.