I spoke with our School Districts Apple Rep and a CSR at AT&T.
I informed them I'm a current 2G Iphone subscriber, both said that if I purchase the IPhone from Apple, I take it home and activate it right through ITunes, it's done just as the 2G IPhone, also if you're already an AT&T customer, another credit check is NOT required, when you do the ITunes process it does a "Contract Wipe Extension" upgrading you to the new data plan prices, that's what the AT&T CSR said AT&T "unofficially" calls it..
Also, corporate discounts on AT&T plans are VALID with the 3G Iphone.. so I'll be getting 15% off my monthly bill which will help offset the increase in data and text charges..
So it looks like you won't be "obligated" to activate in-store.. maybe that only applies to NEW AT&T customers...
Also, our Apple Rep said that the 3g IPhone won't be immediately available via the Apple Online Store until the initial rush is over, figure a week or so?? then they will have stock for the Online Store..
Of course, this info can be completely wrong.. but I'm hoping not..
I informed them I'm a current 2G Iphone subscriber, both said that if I purchase the IPhone from Apple, I take it home and activate it right through ITunes, it's done just as the 2G IPhone, also if you're already an AT&T customer, another credit check is NOT required, when you do the ITunes process it does a "Contract Wipe Extension" upgrading you to the new data plan prices, that's what the AT&T CSR said AT&T "unofficially" calls it..
Also, corporate discounts on AT&T plans are VALID with the 3G Iphone.. so I'll be getting 15% off my monthly bill which will help offset the increase in data and text charges..
So it looks like you won't be "obligated" to activate in-store.. maybe that only applies to NEW AT&T customers...
Also, our Apple Rep said that the 3g IPhone won't be immediately available via the Apple Online Store until the initial rush is over, figure a week or so?? then they will have stock for the Online Store..
Of course, this info can be completely wrong.. but I'm hoping not..