LG Optimus T as WiFi device only

[UnknownVT]

I am a complete novice - never owned a cell phone -

However I am looking at the LG Optimus T from T-Mobile for use as a WiFi device.

If I buy the phone from T-Mobile it comes with a minimal $3.33 - 10 minute activation card (I assume SIM).

I'd like to know:

Can the LG Optimus T work as a WiFi device -

1) without a SIM card -
I have been told that one may need a SIM card to have the LG Optimus T work at all - otherwise it'll keep asking a for a SIM card.

2) once activated - with SIM card removed? - will it then continue to work as a WiFi device with SIM card removed?

3) will it continue to work as a WiFi device with a SIM card inserted, but with expired/ZERO minutes for the phone?

Thanks,

Vincent

 

[fratermus]

Once activated (connected w/Google the first time) the sim can be removed with no ill effects.
Restoring the phone to factory would likely require another activation.

 

[UnknownVT]

Once activated (connected w/Google the first time) the sim can be removed with no ill effects.
Restoring the phone to factory would likely require another activation.

Thank you so much for your reply. Much appreciated.

I also got another answer over at -
T-Mobile Community > Android > LG Optimus T?

LG Optimus as WiFi device Only

Posted by michael85225 in response to my questions -

" Re: LG Optimus as WiFi device Only 06-17-2011 12:32 AM
I just bought an LG Optimus T a few weeks ago and the phone's wifi can be used without a sim card. The phone will not ask you to insert one either. When you turn the phone on without a sim, it will go straight to the main homepage. If you insert an activated sim card the wifi will still work if you remove it. Lastly if you have no more minutes, the wifi will still work as minutes don't affect wifi. "

This seems to make sense.

Thank you,

Vincent

 

[UnknownVT]

Just a follow up - after the kind advice -
I went ahead and bought a LG Optimus T (P509) phone -
which I just got today -

I can confirm that it will work without a SIM card in -
and the phone not (yet) activated.

I plead the absolute "ignorant" amendment -
the phone started on the lock screen (which I should have found by RTFM)
- but it took me a phone call to T-Mobile customer service to explain it to me -
once I knew how to unlock -
the device functioned just fine without the phone part.

I obviously have not been able to test out all the functionality yet -
only tried the obvious things that were important to me like the music player, camera/camcorder and WiFi connectivity -

Had to go find a local WiFi hotspot - once found made a connection, managed to get on the web without much problem and checked out a few web pages including e-mail.

With WiFi connected I was also able to look (minimally) at the the GPS and maps.

So it looks like the device will function fine, without the phone part -
ie: without phone activation or SIM card inserted.

Thanks for the help.

Vincent