This Application sets forth techniques for provisioning and activating an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) as a primary SIM for a mobile wireless device that includes a limited functionality physical SIM (pSIM) associated with a particular mobile network operator (MNO) and installed in the mobile wireless device at a time of manufacture. An eSIM associated with the particular MNO is reserved during a sales order process and later activated during device activation after receipt by a user using a secure over-the-air (OTA) cellular connection enabled by the limited functionality pSIM, when a non-cellular connection or other Internet accessible connection is available. Dual SIM device configuration processes can be suppressed during activation of the eSIM. After successful attachment of the mobile wireless device to a cellular wireless network of the particular MNO using credentials of the eSIM, the limited functionality pSIM is disabled.