can the 1020 be used as a wifi only device?

[chris66green]

I want to get either the 1020 or the 1520 but they are at&t exclusives. Can I get a lumia 1020 or 1520 without a plan and use it WiFi only like an iPod touch. Is a sim required during the start up process? If a sim is not required, will I be able to use all the preloaded apps and get updates even if it is not activated with a wireless network?

 

[Dave Blake]

I have multiple WP devices some I use as WIFI only. Initial start up does not require a SIM. As for updates I am not sure. I do update my devices but most of the time I get tired of waiting for AT&T to put out an update so I do it myself through other methods.

 

[chris66green]

Just curios, there are other ways to update?

 

[Dave Blake]

Yes there is the .cab method. That one is a little involved and harder to do. Them there is the developers preview. I am running GDR3 on my L925 right now. You can get more information on the developers preview in this forum:

Windows Phone GDR3 Preview - Windows Phone Central Forums

 

[sym1a1a]

I think he's asking about app updates, and yes the apps will update normally as long as you have a WiFi connection

 

[sym1a1a]

The phone will work normally, of course you won't be able to make or receive phone calls or text messages

 

[xandros9]

Yes you can, albeit an expensive one.

You can use it, just not the cell radio functions of course

 

[chris66green]

Thanks for the answers! I assume system updates, such as the GDR3 update, requires at&t activation?

 

[John20212]

I don't know about the 1020, no updates were released yet by ATT. But on my old Samsung Focus there was no need to have an ATT sim or any activation or connection with ATT for the OS updates to work.
But that was WP7 which worked great with Zune for updating, not sure about WP8 since it gets updates directly and not through PC software.

 

[xandros9]

Thanks for the answers! I assume system updates, such as the GDR3 update, requires at&t activation?

I don't think so, I think it just needs AT&T to greenlight it on their end and it shouldn't matter. I hope so at least

 

[chris66green]

Great! Hopefully os updates don't need an AT&T connection. Now I just need to decide, the 1020 or the 1520!