error message when try to restore and update my old 3gs for my daughter

I am getting a message that says "sorry" we cannot continue with your activation at this time. Whats that mean......?, I dont have any # codes or anything. Im trying to set up an old 3gs for my daughter, and for now (until I get the sim card from at&t) I wanted to allow her some time on the device using our wi-fi connection . Ive never seen this message before