AppleInsider StaffWhen Apple launches iPhone later this month, customers with Cingular/AT&T business accounts may be forced to purchase the device as individuals through the carrier's retail channels, according to reports.
Another, who spoke with his Cingular business account manager, was also told that he would not be able to buy iPhone via Cingular business channels and instead would need to purchase the handset through the carrier's retail channels.
"Furthermore, you can not use a normal business account — only an account with individual responsibility," that reader said.
Thus far, it appears this stance by Apple and Cingular/ATT has not been put in writing and is instead being passed down verbally to business account managers by their superiors.
It also remains unclear whether the restriction is permanent, or just a temporary measure instated during the initial launch.
At its annual developers conference Monday, Apple announced that iPhone would go on sale at 6:00 p.m. on Friday June 29th. It's not certain whether the 6:00 p.m. time is Pacific time or regional.
Representatives for Apple did not respond to multiple inquiries seeking clarification.
Update: Another AppleInsider reader and AT&T business customer was told by a representative of the AT&T Business Division: "AT&T is not selling [iPhone] to business or to sponsorship accounts under a business; only retail consumers for the first few months. There is no ETA on the sale ban to business."
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40 Comments
OK, if this is true, then we have a real case of AT&T screwing the pooch on this one.
This means that the entire business community is being written off. Who in gods name is going to buy an iPhone if they can't convert their business number? The millions of users who are just dying to carry 2 phones?
On the bright side it means I get to wait for the v1.0 silliness to pass while I wait for them to come to their senses.
Amazing.
I wonder if one can purchase iPhone as an individual personal customer, then migrate his or her plan to business and get discounts on the plan. Hopefully, this is merely to control limited initial inventory to iPhone's larger intended market (consumers). A number of phones that are available to consumers are "out of stock" for business users, most famous being Nokia N75.
Jeez... please don't be true. Was eager to get the phone, but not so eager to give up 14% monthly discount.
Test -- major problems on the forums today. We apologize.
-K
Thought the prices, $499 and $599 were not subsidized, so just buy the phone at the applestore and put your sim card in....that was my plan all along. Although i normally buy my phones thru the business store, here I don't see a reason too...
Tony