[coolpoete]

yes, i can testify that you have to have an active service with T-Mobile. I had a SIM card sitting around the house from an old phone with a discontinued plan and did the same thing and it didn't work. Went to T-Mobile and got on a prepaid plan and it worked right in the store. They gave me a new SIM card too, they would not activate the old one. Works great now. I don't have data or text so I can't confirm those services.