A:Answer No, you don't have to use a SIM card. You can just use the unit for WiFi only reception. However, should you need a cellular data plan in the future, you can use the embedded SIM in the device to select a plan from a particular data provider or you can visit a data provider and they can provide a SIM that you can insert into the device. In my opinion, T-Mobile and Verizon provide the most choices for tablet data plans with reliable connectivity.