UK iPhone 3G launch marred by activation problems
updated 09:20 am EDT, Fri July 11, 2008
UK iPhone 3G launch
The UK launch of the iPhone 3G has been crippled by activation problems, say multiple sources. O2's press office has confirmed that within minutes of the first sales in the country, all stores experienced an outage in the servers needed for the activation process. This was due to "huge simultaneous customer demand," says an O2 representative, who nevertheless promised that ordering and activation should otherwise take approximately 20 minutes. An O2 store on Oxford Street was observed handling roughly 15 people per hour though, meaning that some customers would have to wait hours.
Further problems have been experienced at Apple's flagship Regent Street store, where the company has had to install VMware Fusion on some Macs to run Internet Explorer, the only web browser compatible with O2's activation system. Because of O2's own problems, however, people were still initially unable to get their phones properly activated.
As a result, a number of customers at both Apple and O2 stores have been forced to leave without an iPhone, though shops such as O2's Bluewater and Glasgow locations have been allowing people to pay and fill out paperwork so they can return later.
Anecdotes from O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores indicate that supplies of the 16GB iPhone may be extremely limited in the UK. One Carphone Warehouse employee is said to have explained that each outlet may have only one 16GB model in stock, the rest being 8GB.
The crisis follows problems with online orders at O2, which not only resulted in a server crash, but complete sellout of stock within hours.
JFC
07/11, 09:37am reply
there are still web sites that require IE, that big gaping security hole? there are companies that have banned it yet here you have this c*** still going on.
nat
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Bloody Idiots
07/11, 09:39am (1 reply) reply
Didn't ANYONE over that side of the pond run simulation/stress testing software to emulate this environment. It absolutely truly amazes me that there are CIO and CEO's making millions a year but continue to make completely bone headed business decisions.
The only thing worse than this debacle is that the bloke in charge of the activation system (who was screaming for testing) will be fired for not being loud enough, and the CIO will get a raise and promotion for the cost savings.
dynsight
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
hirarious
07/11, 09:54am reply
hopefully this method of activation will be a resounding disaster and will be withdrawn and never be used again.
mullum
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2007
I hate them
07/11, 10:02am reply
It's even better than that. Upgrading to iPhone software 2.0 requires you to re-activate your phone, apparently...
Thank you O2/Apple, I now have a dead iPhone.
rnicoll
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Can you say DEBACLE?
07/11, 10:07am reply
This story outlines exactly the point at which Apple's strategy will falter. At the point at which they rely on third-party carriers to "sell" their products, that weakest link will be exactly what turns the iPhone from a blockbuster hit into a business school case study for inter-company cooperative failure. O2 doesn't allow activation from the Apple platform? Shame on them, and SHAME ON APPLE!
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Here, too
07/11, 10:09am (1 reply) reply
I got in line at an Apple store in the Midwest two hours ago. The first group of customers have been in store for an hour because the iTunes connection is down. This is a disaster.
surferboy
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2003
lame excuse
07/11, 10:23am reply
I love it when technical problems are blamed on "huge customer demand". AS IF thousands of unexpected people were activating their iPhones at precisely the same moment.
You would think they'd be even more prepared since they were forcing people to activate their phones in the store with a set and pre-known number of store associates accessing the server at any one time.
cblackmo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
the horror!
07/11, 10:40am reply
As a result, a number of customers at both Apple and O2 stores have been forced to leave without an iPhone
Man, it's like one of those M Night movies.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Pathetic !
07/11, 12:46pm reply
Waited at a store for 3 hours (from 7AM). Not one person served. Once I discovered that they only had 8GB models I decided to call it a day. I noted 100 yard lines at all the other stores on my way through London after that where very little selling of iPhones was going on. Certainly a lot of bad PR for Apple and O2. O2 have been in a mess with this since the initial announcement. I don't know if they'd do any better trying to organise a piss up in a brewery, but O2 certainly can't seem to sell mobile phones in a mobile phone shop!Apple, please don't get a boy to do a man's job.
timecode
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2001
Pathetic !
07/11, 12:48pm reply
Waited at a store for 3 hours (from 7AM). Not one person served. Once I discovered that they only had 8GB models I decided to call it a day. I noted 100 yard lines at all the other stores on my way through London after that where very little selling of iPhones was going on. Certainly a lot of bad PR for Apple and O2. O2 have been in a mess with this since the initial announcement. I don't know if they'd so any better trying to organise a piss up in a brewery, but O2 certainly can't seem to sell mobile phones in a mobile phone shop!
Apple, please don't get a boy to do a man's job.
timecode
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2001