Originally Posted by UziBeatle

Well, you can't. If you have a unactivated cell phone far as I know the only way to test
its ability to dial out to 911 would be to do it.

I'm not recommending one do this, but if it is an unactivated phone there is no way for them to call you back in any event, to the best of my knowledge (TM standard disclaimer).

I must admit I sinned and tested such a phone once a couple years ago. Yep, it worked. It was a Tracphone and I smoke tested it prior to activating it just to see if the stories were true.

Bottom line is if the cell phone can function normally and access the network ANY phone, whether
activated and supported by carrier XY or Z MUST be granted access to 911. Period. THat is FCC law. USA only, I have no idea what rules apply in any other country.

One could see how the potential for abuse could occur and my only advise to those so inclined to
annoy 911 services is to consider that modern cell networks most likely have methods to identify
a particular device, even though it is not a callable device. And that such a device, given the fact
the cell companies upgraded their systems to use either GPS phone based tracking or/AND tower
based radio triangulation location tracking, could be hunted down...eventually.
Would ONE teensy test dial set off such an investigation? Doubt it, but I'm just typing out of my ass here.
Does it piss off 911 centers when people do it? Yes.
Repeatedly , I'd not try it.
Remember, there is a reason Osama and friends don't use cell phones anymore. HAH.