AT&T second-wave 3Gs

With some locations already sold out, AT&T is beginning to sell customers on units from the second wave of iPhone 3G shipments, MacNN has confirmed. With sources noting that "many stores across the country" have already sold out of their launch stock, the company is now offering pre-orders through a "direct fulfillment process." Should a person pick this option, they will be required to pay for the phone and will be notified when an iPhone 3G arrives at the store for pickup. AT&T is telling customers that they can expect their new iPhone 3Gs within 3-5 days.

"Customers who were in line but did not get a phone could pre-purchase a device through an in-store direct fulfillment process," AT&T told MacNN. "Customers who choose direct fulfillment will be notified when their iPhone 3G arrives at the store."

The move could also help alleviate activation problems. Both Apple and AT&T have taken sharp criticism from customers, as the former's iTunes servers are said to have collapsed under today's extreme demand, while the latter has sent customers home halfway through the activation process. As a result of the this, many AT&T customers technically have their phones, but have encountered serious errors synching with their computers.

by MacNN Staff