Sim card work with no service?

[jcraven8081]

I would like to know if I put a t-mobile sim card without service or a tmobile plan in my unlocked iPhone 3g will it tell me how many bars I would get if I did have service?

I put the unactive sim in a sidekick and it showed me but couldn't make calls obviously but then I put it in my iPhone and it said searching and no service?
Does this mean I messed up unlocking it or is just bc I don't have a contract?

[blkcadi]

you have to go into settings/general/network/cellular data network and add your APN

[jcraven8081]

when i go to network there is no option for cellular data network