Help 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 needs a SIM card to have the LG Optimus T work at all - otherwise it'll keep asking 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

 

[Cramill]

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

I'm no expert on the Optimus, but I would assume that:

1 & 2) You probably have to keep the SIM card in for the phone to be able to work.
3) I would assume that yes, it would still work as a wifi device. As long as you are not making or receiving any calls or text messages - you shouldn't be billed for any minutes or text messages used. There is a setting for turning off mobile data (ie 3G data) so you won't ever connect to that.

I think basically what you will want to do is have your phone in airplane mode (so it doesn't look for a phone connection), but turn wifi on. I'm not sure if turning on wifi takes it out of airplane mode, but I can test this out with my wife's Optimus and get back to you.

 

[UnknownVT]

1 & 2) You probably have to keep the SIM card in for the phone to be able to work.
3) I would assume that yes, it would still work as a wifi device. As long as you are not making or receiving any calls or text messages - you shouldn't be billed for any minutes or text messages used. There is a setting for turning off mobile data (ie 3G data) so you won't ever connect to that.

I think basically what you will want to do is have your phone in airplane mode (so it doesn't look for a phone connection), but turn wifi on. I'm not sure if turning on wifi takes it out of airplane mode, but I can test this out with my wife's Optimus and get back to you.

Thank you very much for your clear reply.

Yes, I would be very grateful if you could please try the WiFi in Airplane mode and see if that works.

EDIT to ADD -
I found the pdf manual for the LG Optimus T on-line at T-Mobile
and this is what it said about airplane mode:

" Airplane mode – When Airplane mode is activated,
all wireless communications are disabled. "

>>EDIT to ADD 2 -

I 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.


However I have just ordered a LG Optimus T (P509) from T-Mobile because of these answers (either would work for me) - I'll come back and report if the LG Optimus T will work WiFi without the SIM card. <<




Thank you,

Vincent

 

[Cramill]

" Airplane mode

 

[UnknownVT]

I think "wireless" here means "cell phone."
So yeah, I don't think you have to worry, it will work great as a wifi device.

Thank you very much for the follow up and detailed information -
very useful indeed - much appreciated.

Thanks,

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