T-MO Pre-Paid service questions

[0x0is0]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Need some help about T-mo prepaid plan.

I have a spare regular TMO sim card that's NOT activated.
I have a spare new Nokia N76 that is quad band (850, 900, 1800, 1900) and unlock.

My father is on Verizon, has a broken phone, and not under contract. He is not a heavy phone user, don't care about Data, email, web, etc., etc. Just use his flip phone for emergency purpose and occasional conversation with friends.

1. How do I start a pre-paid plan service for him on T-Mo?
2. Will my spare TMO sim card and Nokia N76 works for him?
3. Is there an activation or hidden fees on/to start a pre-paid plan, I should be aware of?
4. Can I do it (start the pre-paid service) over the phone with a TMO operator?

First timer dealing with pre-paid stuff, though I've been with T-Mo post-paid for 9 years.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[DRNewcomb]

You might just try powering up the phone/SIM and see what happens. Often they will direct you to an operator who will get you set up. If you put a $100 top-up on the phone you get Gold Rewards status and any new credit will not expire for 365 days.

[Telekom]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Need some help about T-mo prepaid plan.

I have a spare regular TMO sim card that's NOT activated.
I have a spare new Nokia N76 that is quad band (850, 900, 1800, 1900) and unlock.

My father is on Verizon, has a broken phone, and not under contract. He is not a heavy phone user, don't care about Data, email, web, etc., etc. Just use his flip phone for emergency purpose and occasional conversation with friends.

1. How do I start a pre-paid plan service for him on T-Mo?
2. Will my spare TMO sim card and Nokia N76 works for him?
3. Is there an activation or hidden fees on/to start a pre-paid plan, I should be aware of?
4. Can I do it (start the pre-paid service) over the phone with a TMO operator?

First timer dealing with pre-paid stuff, though I've been with T-Mo post-paid for 9 years.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Just a blank SIM will not work with T-Mobile prepaid. You also need an activation code which comes with the prepaid activation "kit." You can get a prepaid card on line at the T-Mobile site for $2 (last time I checked) or if you can't do on line go to a T-Mobile corporate store and buy a kit for $10 though I've heard that if you go into a corporate store and tell them you want to activate prepaid they'll give you an account and activate it for the minimum refill amount ($10) though I don't know that for absolute sure.

There is no "activation" fee and the card comes with 10 minutes of included airtime so you'll need to add more airtime with cards or with PINs.