TELUS Neighbourhood

With my current contract with Telus ending early next year, I recently purchased the nano-SIM card and an unlocked iphone 6. Do I have to wait until my contract ends to call Telus to activate my new iphone and plug the SIM card in? or can I do it now...

My rate plan is iPhone 50-200Local & 500MB with no other add-ons. I am receiving texts from a friend who is in the States. Would that charge me extra when I receive and send texts to her? Thanks!