Bad Internet Connection

• In order for your iPhone to successfully activate, you must have a current Internet connection. IPhone models that have iOS 5 may be activated wirelessly, meaning you don't have to plug the iPhone into a computer like previous iOS versions required. If you are activating wirelessly, your iPhone must have Wi-Fi enabled with an active connection. If you are activating while plugged into a computer, the iPhone can have Wi-Fi turned off, but the computer must have Internet connection. If your iPhone freezes during the activation process, check the Internet connection and reconnect if necessary.
  
  

No Carrier Connection

• In addition to Internet connection, your cellphone must be able to connect with your wireless carrier in order for activation to complete. If the phone becomes frozen, your iPhone may have lost its communication to the wireless provider. To check your current connection, look in the top left corner of the home screen. If you see a "No Service" message or very few bars, go to the "Settings" menu and choose "General." Choose "Reset" and then "Reset Network Settings" to attempt to reestablish a connection. If there is still no connection, you will have to activate from another location.
  
  

Outdated iTunes

• If you are activating your iPhone while connected to a computer, an outdated version of iTunes might be the cause of your frozen iPhone. To update your version of iTunes, go to the "Help" tab at the top of iTunes and choose "Check for Updates." If an update is available, download it and try the activation again.
  
  

Restarting iPhone

• If your phone freezes and you cannot access any menus or get to the home screen to check for carrier connection, restarting the device should unfreeze it. To restart an iPhone, press and hold the "Sleep/Wake" button at the top of the phone until a red slider appears. Move the arrow to the right side of the slider to power down the phone. After about five seconds, press the "Sleep/Wake" button again to power the iPhone back on. If the iPhone will not restart, you can force a reboot by holding down the "Sleep/Wake" button and "Home" button at the same time.