O2 rumored to allow pre-launch iPhone activations, 7AM opening
The iPhone's sole UK carrier is claimed to be taking some of the pressure off of stores for the iPhone 3G launch by letting users sign up for their contracts ahead of time as well as by introducing the handset early in the morning.
A visitor to an O2 store in Britain's Midlands region, posting to Mac Rumors' forums, has allegedly met an O2 staffer aware of a company conference on Monday outlining plans for the July 11th iPhone 3G release date.
According to the claim, every O2 shop in the UK from July 1st onwards will handle the contract sign up process for the new iPhones in advance. Both the credit check and contract itself can optionally be setup ahead of time such that early buyers will only have to pick up and activate their iPhones on launch day; plans won't go live until subscribers give stores registration codes that set the plan in motion.
The unusual approach is aimed at creating a "successful and painless launch" that would let the most eager early adopters walk out of the store quickly, according to the report.
This same source would also have O2 retail stores tentatively opening their doors for the iPhone 3G introduction at 7AM local time -- before normal store hours and much earlier than the original iPhone launch, which took place in the evening. A number of fellow UK residents also say they have heard similar claims that narrow the launch time to 7:02AM, a play on O2's name that was also made with last year's 6:02PM unveiling.
These details are unconfirmed and are called partly into question by the store worker's claims that all O2 shops will receive about 5,000 units for launch; the quantity would be extremely large for most stores, though the O2 staffer claims that his store received a single 5,000 iPhone shipment for the earlier November launch that lasted until May, a story also supported by other British customers.
However, word of a morning launch follows on the heels of a similar rumor regarding AT&T, which is said to be preparing for an 8AM American launch that may be timed to guarantee that all customers can activate their phones the same day.
The rumor also backs an O2 spokeswoman's comments that Apple itself may be forced to sell only prepaid iPhones in its stores due to the lack of an O2 account activation system and proper training. Visitors to official Apple outlets will only have access to Pay As You Go plans, the newer report says.
A visitor to an O2 store in Britain's Midlands region, posting to Mac Rumors' forums, has allegedly met an O2 staffer aware of a company conference on Monday outlining plans for the July 11th iPhone 3G release date.
According to the claim, every O2 shop in the UK from July 1st onwards will handle the contract sign up process for the new iPhones in advance. Both the credit check and contract itself can optionally be setup ahead of time such that early buyers will only have to pick up and activate their iPhones on launch day; plans won't go live until subscribers give stores registration codes that set the plan in motion.
The unusual approach is aimed at creating a "successful and painless launch" that would let the most eager early adopters walk out of the store quickly, according to the report.
This same source would also have O2 retail stores tentatively opening their doors for the iPhone 3G introduction at 7AM local time -- before normal store hours and much earlier than the original iPhone launch, which took place in the evening. A number of fellow UK residents also say they have heard similar claims that narrow the launch time to 7:02AM, a play on O2's name that was also made with last year's 6:02PM unveiling.
These details are unconfirmed and are called partly into question by the store worker's claims that all O2 shops will receive about 5,000 units for launch; the quantity would be extremely large for most stores, though the O2 staffer claims that his store received a single 5,000 iPhone shipment for the earlier November launch that lasted until May, a story also supported by other British customers.
However, word of a morning launch follows on the heels of a similar rumor regarding AT&T, which is said to be preparing for an 8AM American launch that may be timed to guarantee that all customers can activate their phones the same day.
The rumor also backs an O2 spokeswoman's comments that Apple itself may be forced to sell only prepaid iPhones in its stores due to the lack of an O2 account activation system and proper training. Visitors to official Apple outlets will only have access to Pay As You Go plans, the newer report says.
Comments
They should be doing a credit pre-screening for people with a clearance code valid for 2-3 weeks. If they neglect some prudent management, all the positive vibe of the launch will be drowned out by negative media about angry Verizon and T-Mobile switchers who were irritated by their first experience of AT&T and iPhone.
Simple tool.
Enter your email address and your physical address and zip code or your iTunes ID info. A listing of the 5 closest AT&T and Apple stores that will carry iPhone 3G on launch day should pop up and you'll select the one you'll most likely go to for your new iPhone.
Are you an existing AT&T contract customer? -One range of options....
Are you switching from another network?
Next screen, would you like to pre-clear your credit?
Number transfer etc....
Choose a plan, etc...
They should be doing a credit pre-screening for people with a clearance code valid for 2-3 weeks. If they neglect some prudent management, all the positive vibe of the launch will be drowned out by negative media about angry Verizon and T-Mobile switchers who were irritated by their first experience of AT&T and iPhone.
.
actually talking to a sales person at an apple store today I was told that the activation, from what they have been told, will be a two part deal. they don't have the details but from the little they have gotten in store will be a part to link you, the unit you buy and a credit card for payment of the termination fee if you don't activate your account by a set deadline. but the picking of the rate plan etc will be something you do at home. and it might be possible to do that part before you get the phone. they aren't sure yet. but they do know that they aren't going to be doing the full process in store for every customer.
given the way I have seen customers at my local store hem and haw over whether to get the 8 Gig or the 16 Gig nano, I hate to think about them picking a cell phone rate plan. geesh.
Apple and AT&T ought to be collecting email addresses and Zip Code information from people planning to buy iPhone 3G on launch day. This will help them figure out how much load they are likely to face at various stores on day 1.
O2 are indeed doing exactly this. They ALSO sell the phones online, thus making a visit to the store less than necessary except for those wanting the phone immediately.
I had a message from O2 stating that i should go to the website and register interest if I want to upgrade via the website for my 3g handset. Looks like they are trying to handle upgrades through the website rather than burden the stores with both new customers and upgrades.
That's impressive.
Sheesh..... why can't ATT do this?
I had a message from O2 stating that i should go to the website and register interest if I want to upgrade via the website for my 3g handset. Looks like they are trying to handle upgrades through the website rather than burden the stores with both new customers and upgrades.
my guess is that in the US, they feel that the in store demand is going to be so high if they hold some phones for online, stores could run out very fast.
so at this time, no online. later who knows