SIM Cards and Unlocked Phones

[JRNetwork]

I recently bought a Sony Ericsson K810i and it's loaded with features. I wanted to use it with Westlink Communications but they couldn't get it to work because it would not detect the Westlink Network (though it detected plenty of others, like T-Mobile, AT&T and other local networks). This phone has a great 3.2 megapixel camera and even if I can't use the telephony features I would at least like to use the camera. However, without a SIM card in the slot, the phone will only show an "insert SIM" message and not allow me do anything.

My question is:
Assuming I cannot get it to work with Westlink...
Can I buy an unactivated SIM card and put it in my phone to access my phone's features?

Without activating it? I'm thinking of using an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card off of eBay. I live in a rural area and so I'm outside T-Mobile/AT&T's subscription area

[Telekom]

Originally Posted by JRNetwork

I recently bought a Sony Ericsson K810i and it's loaded with features. I wanted to use it with Westlink Communications but they couldn't get it to work because it would not detect the Westlink Network (though it detected plenty of others, like T-Mobile, AT&T and other local networks). This phone has a great 3.2 megapixel camera and even if I can't use the telephony features I would at least like to use the camera. However, without a SIM card in the slot, the phone will only show an "insert SIM" message and not allow me do anything.

My question is:
Assuming I cannot get it to work with Westlink...
Can I buy an unactivated SIM card and put it in my phone to access my phone's features?

Without activating it? I'm thinking of using an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card off of eBay. I live in a rural area and so I'm outside T-Mobile/AT&T's subscription area

Make sure you understand all this "locking" and "unlocking" business. All SIMs can work in all phones. However, the provider where the phone came from likely had that phone locked to be used only with their network. In order for that phone to be able to use other networks the "SIM lock" needs to be defeated. You either need to get the code to unlock it or send it to a business that specializes in unlocking handsets. If you are outside of an area that can receive signals for any particular service the service won't do you any good if you cannot receive their signal! Why would you want to get a SIM and not activate it? If you don't activate it you won't have any service.

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by JRNetwork

I recently bought a Sony Ericsson K810i and it's loaded with features. I wanted to use it with Westlink Communications but they couldn't get it to work because it would not detect the Westlink Network (though it detected plenty of others, like T-Mobile, AT&T and other local networks). This phone has a great 3.2 megapixel camera and even if I can't use the telephony features I would at least like to use the camera. However, without a SIM card in the slot, the phone will only show an "insert SIM" message and not allow me do anything.

My question is:
Assuming I cannot get it to work with Westlink...
Can I buy an unactivated SIM card and put it in my phone to access my phone's features?

Without activating it? I'm thinking of using an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card off of eBay. I live in a rural area and so I'm outside T-Mobile/AT&T's subscription area

Yes, as long as your phone is unlocked you can use any SIM card in it to allow access to phone features. My guess would be that since K810i doesn't have the 850MHz band you're having trouble locking onto the signal.