Is it possible to activate an iPhone 4S with an inactive SIM card?

I have the phone and a SIM card from my carrier, but the card hasn't been activated yet. I've read on the internet that it is possible to activate iPhones with inactive or old sim cards as long as they are from the appropriate carrier, but my card doesn't seem to work. Whenever I try to activate my iPhone, it tells me to insert a valid and unlocked SIM. I have disabled the PIN code using another phone, but it still doesn't work. Is this a hardware issue or do I simply have to wait for my service plan and SIM card to be activated?
I am worried about this because the phone worked well without a SIM card until I reset it to the factory settings. (This is a used phone.)

Could somebody please help me? It is quite important.

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