Capabilities of unlocked AT&T iphobe w/o iphone plan

[Jollins]

I've just started educating myself on the iphone unlocking scene now that I've bought one for myself, but I have a few questions I haven't been able to find clear answers to...

Here is my situation: I ordered one of the $250 refurbs, even though my family's AT&T contract expires in June because I just couldn't pass up that deal. I am on a family plan, so renewing early isn't really an option. We'll be renewing in June and I'll add an iphone data plan then, but it won't be for a few months.

From what I've read I can finish up my current contract on my iPhone by using ziphone and putting my current SIM card in. Is this correct? I've read this should work but I want to double check.

I also read that not using the iphone SIM/iphone plan means no visual voicemail. How does voicemail work if visual voicemail is disabled? The big question for me though is does this mean I can't get add unlimited data for web/email until I renew? My current plan does not have unlimited data, and I can't tell if its possible to add it for an extra monthly fee. I've had trouble finding an answer to this question, and it would be a shame to have an EDGE-less iphone for a few months.

Thanks for any help

Edit: Sorry about the typo in the title. Ugh.
Edit #2: Clarification on plan.

[jason72780]

You can sign a new contract with AT&T if your already a customer even if yours isn't up yet if its activating an iPhone.

[Jollins]

Sorry I forgot to specify I'm under a family plan, so I can't renew the contract unless the rest of us do also.

[PINOY3000]

Visual Voicemail is the ability to see a list of voicemails you have and just click on one of them to listen to them.

So instead of calling your voicemail number and listening to all your voicemail to get to the one you want, you can click on the one you want on the iPhone then the iPhone will play that message for you. That's basically it.

If you don't get a lot of voicemail, like me, then its not really necessary.

I always answer my phone whenever possible anyway, so I never really get a voicemail. And If I have a missed call, I usually call back so people calling me know that its not necessary to leave me a voicemail.