U can have it unlocked. Then all u need to do is just get the prepaid sim cardand pop it in. the starter kit has how to activate the card. or u can just put in a cingular prepaid sim card avaliable on ebay which has t-mobile and cingular go phone prepaid started kits u can also get the starter kits at any mobile store or some liquor store. Cingular starter kits include 10 dollars free bonus. I just bought one from ebay for not ever much. usually it is about 25 dollars for the starter kit which is the sim card and a booklet with the activation code some come withe minutes. It all about the sim card.