O2 has revealed that the iPhone 3G will go on sale from 8.02am (geddit? But why not 3.02? – Ed) this Friday, 11 July in all Apple stores and in selected O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores. O2 says that to ensure fairness, it will sell the device on a strictly first-come, first-served basis to both new and upgrading customers in all retail outlets.
Judging by that statement, O2 is obviously expecting the device to sell out. In fact, O2 UK CEO Ronan Dunne says:
Weve never seen any mobile device create the excitement and demand of the iPhone 3G. We want to ensure that everyone who wants an iPhone 3G can get one so well be working with Apple to continually replenish our supplies throughout the summer.
Yesterday, customers who had pre-registered their interest in iPhone 3G were given the opportunity to purchase a limited stock of devices which had been set aside via O2s online store. The demand was such that the store sold out within just a few hours. Though O2 had invested several million pounds to increase the order capacity of the site, with order processing capacity increased by over 250 times its normal rate, it says that at times, the site still could not cope with the sheer weight of demand.
Details of when new supplies of iPhone 3Gs will be available via the O2 online shop will be updated regularly via the website. Business customers can also start placing orders for iPhone 3G through O2 business channels. Delivery timings will be communicated when an order is placed.
The 8GB iPhone 3G will be available for free to customers opting for the 45 or 75 tariffs and 99 on the 30 and 35 per month tariffs. The 16GB model will cost 159 on the 30 and 35 tariffs, 59 on the 45 tariff, and it will be free on the 75 tariff. All customers will continue to receive unlimited UK data browsing over O2s mobile network, and unlimited access to over 9,000 wi-fi hotspots through both The Cloud and BT Openzone.
Existing iPhone customers can upgrade early to the iPhone 3G through O2 channels by re-signing a new 18-month contract, taking advantage of the same offer as new customers. They will then be able to give their existing 2G iPhone to a friend, family member or colleague who can transfer onto an iPhone tariff if they are an existing O2 Pay Monthly or business customer; stick in their existing O2 SIM and buy the appropriate Bolt Ons for unlimited data; or buy an iPhone Pay & Go SIM card from 11 July, offering unlimited data and unlimited wi-fi access to The Cloud and BT Openzone hotspots for 10 per month. Theres more informatiton on the various iPhone tariffs and packages here.
The iPhone 3G will launch on O2 Pay and Go (Prepay) in time for the Christmas shopping period, with pricing details to be confirmed closer to launch.