A method assigns a bootstrap server for wireless devices in a machine-to-machine environment. The method includes receiving, by a network device in a wireless access network and from a wireless device, a first request for a bootstrap server identifier. The method also includes providing, to the wireless device, a response including an address for a carrier-specific bootstrap server device. The method also includes receiving, by the carrier-specific bootstrap server device, a request for management server connection information. The request is submitted by the wireless device using the bootstrap server identifier. The method further includes assigning, by the carrier-specific bootstrap server device, the wireless device to a management server of a group of management servers and sending connection information for the management server to the wireless device.