How Long Do I Have to Activate a New SIM Card?

Environment

• Republic Wireless 3.0 phones

Answer

GSM SIM cards have an activate by date printed on the top right-hand corner of the SIM card cutout.

• The shelf-life of a GSM SIM card is typically 2 years from the manufacture date of the SIM card.
• Unactivated SIM cards that are past this date are not eligible for activation on the network.
• An activated GSM SIM card that has been deactivated can be reactivated within 20 days.

CDMA SIM cards do not have an expiration date printed on them.

• The shelf-life of a CDMA SIM card is indefinite. 
• An activated CDMA SIM card that has been deactivated can be reactivated within 20 days.

Data SIM cards have an activate by date printed on the top right-hand corner of the SIM card cutout.

• The shelf-life of a data SIM card is typically 2 years from the manufacture date of the SIM card.
• Unactivated SIM cards that are past this date are not eligible for activation on the network.
• An activated data SIM card that has been deactivated cannot be reactivated.

Additional Notes

To identify your SIM card see Is My Republic Wireless SIM Card CDMA or GSM?