O2: Apple to blame for iPhone 3G ordering woes

Apple is primarily responsible for iPhone ordering problems at O2 UK, the latter company is said to be claiming by e-mail. In response to an inquiry from one customer, O2 Sales Director Steve Shurrock is said to be blaming Apple for the almost immediate drain of online pre-orders. "We have been working continuously with them [Apple] to get as much stock for the UK as possible," says Shurrock. "Unfortunately, they have only been able to supply a small proportion of the number of phones we asked for, because they are launching simultaneously in 22 countries."

"We are confident that over time we will start to get sufficient volume to meet demand," he observes. "But it is likely that stock will be in very short supply for some weeks to come." As an example of how few phones might be available, Shurrock adds that for the more than 200,000 people who expressed interest through the O2 website, only a "very small proportion" would be able to get a phone on launch, split evenly between new customers and previous O2 subscribers. Apple Stores will allegedly offer only new contracts.

A "few dozen" iPhones are expected at each O2 or Carphone Warehouse location on July 11th, with new shipments coming once a week for sometime thereafter. Regarding online sales, Shurrock notes that stock updates will be published "as they become available."

Filed under: iPhone, Apple
Other story tags: iPhone 3G, UK, O2, Carphone Warehouse