IPhone AT&T, T Mobile sim switch issue?

I have a iPhone 3GS I'm trying to do the T Mobile SIM card switch to get the MMS working. I bought the sim brand new on Ebay. When I insert the sim my phone displays "sim failure". Any suggestions? Does the sim need to be activated?

A SIM will do nothing… If it is not activated to some mobile phone carrier. Maybe you should call t-mobile if that is the mobile provide you want to use (and pay them).

a sim failure is not good, did you put the sim in backwards?

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