iPhone iPhone 4 Unlock question

[coconuts]

I have an iPhone 4 that requires an unlock using what I think is called SAM Prefs. I used this last year when I updated to ios 6 and it worked fine and now want to updaye to ios7 but not till I'm sure I can hold on to my unlock. http://maypalo.com/2013/12/27/unlock-iphone-ios-7/
I found this guide but if you scroll to "STEP 1: Use the original SIM card that was saved using the SAM activation tickets" I have this sim card thats required but it wont connect to the network anymore because after 8 months seemingly if the sim is used the mobile carrier recycle it so I need to know if this method will work for me or because I let the sim run out is it now useless??

 

[dhlizard]

Re-enabling a SAM unlock requires using same phone and same sim.
If sim won't work, you are out of luck.

 

[coconuts]

Re-enabling a SAM unlock requires using same phone and same sim.
If sim won't work, you are out of luck.

So the sim has to be able to connect to the network again for the unlock to work? I was hoping that maybe the sim just did something to the phone for the unlock...

 

[dhlizard]

What ?????

What good does it do to unlock the sim if it won't connect so you can make phone calls.

 

[Applejuiced]

So the sim has to be able to connect to the network again for the unlock to work? I was hoping that maybe the sim just did something to the phone for the unlock...

I don't think you get it at all.
The unlock is only for that one particular sim for that one particular phone number only.
That's how the SAM unlock works.
In other words you're out of luck.
Try purchasing an IMEI unlock for it instead.

 

[coconuts]

I don't think you get it at all.
The unlock is only for that one particular sim for that one particular phone number only.
That's how the SAM unlock works.
In other words you're out of luck.
Try purchasing an IMEI unlock for it instead.

No I don't get it that's why I'm here looking for answers
I didn't explain it very well, my fault so I'll try again,

The iphone is currently on ios6 and currently has a Vodafone sim in it and working fine.
I want to update to ios 7 but then it'll be locked to E-mobile, it's original carrier and I won't be able to use my Vodafone sim.

So I suppose the question I should have asked is, do I need the E-mobile sim or the Vodafone sim to carry out the unlock using SAM?

I'm hoping that "STEP 1: Use the original SIM card that was saved using the SAM activation tickets" means I need the vodafone sim which I do have and not the emobile one thats used to activate the iphone after the update as any emobile sim will activate the iphone after updating.