Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include receiving subscriber identity information for a cellular network at a mobile communication device via a short-range wireless communication network. The subscriber identity information is received from a device issued by a provider of the cellular network. Exemplary embodiments further include storing the subscriber identity information at a subscriber identity module embedded in the mobile communication device. Exemplary embodiments additionally include transmitting the subscriber identity information from the subscriber identity module to a server of the provider for authenticating a subscriber of the cellular network. Exemplary embodiments still further include receiving, from the server of the provider, authorization for the subscriber to access the cellular network, and accessing the cellular network via the mobile communication device.