Especially for traveling overseas, purchasing a prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is much more economical than using one's domestic cell phone overseas or even renting a cell phone. Prepaid SIM cards are also available to be used within the United States. Activating a prepaid SIM card is simple to do.
Instructions
Activating a Prepaid SIM Card
1. Insert the SIM card into the cell phone. The SIM card slot is often located near the cell phone battery. It is usually only possible to properly insert the card one way. It should not be necessary to use force.
2. Turn on the phone. The phone should power up and cycle to a provider screen. A screen that includes the phone number might show during the process as well. If the phone does not power up, either the phone or the SIM card could be defective, or the phone might be locked.
3. Register the SIM card with the provider or merchant. This is often done through an online form on the company's website. It may also be done by telephone. Registering the card is usually the final step in activation and is often necessary to obtain customer service.
Tags: cell phone, phone card, Prepaid Card