A6 and FreedomPop SIM

OK so I can actually communicate with my A6. WOOT it works!
But....
I have a FreedomPop SIM, when I issue: AT+COPS=?

I get back:
+COPS: (3,"T-Mobile","T-Mobile","31026")
OK

Looking at the AT command set I see that code 3 means forbidden.
I'm surprised that I can only see T-Mobile, particularly since I have an ATT phone and it works OK without roaming where I am.

So the question is, why is T-Mobile forbidden?
Is it that FreedomPop does not have a roaming agreement with T-Mobile?
Is it that my SIM is not fully activated?
Or do I need to issue some sort of registration request to get activated.

Also AT+CNUM=? does not return any value at all.
Do I need to drop the SIM into an unlocked phone first to get it programmed right?

Anyone have any experience with this?

Surely these are questions that you should be asking 'FreedomPop'?