Activation

[number johnny 5]

This may sound stupid . I am trying to buy my first iPhone. Contacted a guy about a 2G 16gb that is in mint condition. He told me that it would have to be connected to itunes to activate.
What does that mean exactly? I don't want to buy a stolen phone and find myself in hot water down the line. I know that you use itunes for updates, downloads, etc. Or does activation just mean that it puts the phone in my name and applies my already exsisting ATT number to it? Any help would be appreciated.

[Simtech]

If you have an existing AT&T account and sim card, you just place that sim card into the iPhone. It will already be activated.

[dirrtydude]

if you're planning to use the iPhone with the additional data plan on it,
then you can activate it on iTunes.

but if you prefer your existing ATT account without the data plan,
then you can unlock/jailbreak it to turn of Edge.