Having been through this a couple of times, it seems to me that your "carrier" or "phone service provider" needs to activate the phone. Yes, Karen, the monthly service is where the money is.....and it adds up...even the bare bones account ends up being much more when you add in taxes. I am thinking about cancelling my Verizon and getting a Trac (?) phone....I use mine so seldom.......such a waste. The hardware is just a come-on to get you to tie into a monthly charge.