AT&T now hawking iPhone 3Gs online to biz customers

If you're fortunate enough to have access to a Premier (business, that is) account with AT&T, you're now able to forgo the charade of meandering down to your local store to buy -- or place an order for, more likely -- the iPhone 3G. All three varieties of the best cellphone Apple makes are now available directly through the carrier's B2B online store for the usual $199 / $299 pricing scale; if we had to guess, it's just a matter of time before they'll throw the doors open to the riff raff (read: us), too. We'll drink to that.

[Thanks, Vasudev R.]

Update: We touched base with AT&T, and it looks like the real news here is that Premier account holders who pay their own bills now have access to the iPhone 3G online, whereas before, only those whose bills were covered by their companies had access. The more, the merrier!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 12:05PM]

Now they need to add our discounts to it.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 12:30PM]

what the fuck!!!!!!!! I sent this to Engadget 4 days ago!!!!!!

[missingNo Posted Aug 14th 2008 1:07PM]

Thanks for the post, Engadget Mobile!

... I'm just lucky enough to have a Premier account :P

... yet the #$@%!@ thing is a "no commitment" upgrade at $399 for the 8GB model.
http://i38.tinypic.com/2z3xezk.png

[slamEVIL Posted Aug 14th 2008 1:10PM]

"• ...breakthrough internet device
• widescreen ipod..."

this is in the business section because...?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 1:34PM]

My guess as to why they put it in the business section because of the following features:

# Desktop-class applications, including calendar, rich HTML email, full-featured address book and Safari web browser
# Secure push email and over-the-air contacts and calendar through support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync.
# View Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, PDF, JPEG, and iWork email attachments
# Remote wipe and enforced security and password policies for IT administrators to securely manage iPhones containing confidential company information.
# Built-in Cisco IPSec VPN for the highest level of IP-based encryption for transmission of sensitive company information.
# WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1X authentication for safe access to company resources.
# Configuration Profiles for the remote configuration and installation of your company's passcode policies, VPN, email, and wireless network settings onto iPhones.
# Enterprises can easily build their own in-house applications to meet distinct business needs.
# The App Store makes it easy to download commercial applications directly to iPhone 3G wirelessly.
# Applications can utilize iPhone technology including the Multi-Touch display, the accelerometer, wireless connectivity, and GPS.


Just a guess!

[slamEVIL Posted Aug 14th 2008 4:50PM]

that was my point exactly. maybe they should list features such as those and not what i pointed out...in the business section.


OT:

WTF are you doing with the comments engadget?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 1:31PM]

the iphones have been on my premier site since day 1. they actually posted for sale a couple of hours before the 8am launch. this is nothing new.

[infinityflex Posted Aug 14th 2008 1:43PM]

This is not new news. I ordered the 3g iPhone on my Premiere site the day it launched.

[infinityflex Posted Aug 14th 2008 1:44PM]

This is not new news. I ordered the 3G iphone the day it launched.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 1:50PM]

Absolutely not news. I ordered mine on July 11 (launch day) from AT&T Premier online - 1 8GB and 1 16GB black models, they arrived via FedEx overnight.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 2:02PM]

They have, since the launch day, been available to Business Customers through their representative. All it takes is a phone call and it will be ordered. Your plans will be set up correctly as well. With as much confusion as there was in the comment section about iphone plans... I'd recommend dealing with your business rep. You're bound to screw something up and then complain later to your rep - and it's harder to fix than if they made the mistakes themselves.

Breakthrough Internet, Widescreen iPod is the Apple mantra with this device. Everything began with "Breakthrough internet device, widescreen ipod." Even when the iPhone first came out and was not business ready.

I would think Kyle MORE than hit it on the head as to why it's in the business section. Not to mention ALL AT&T DEVICES AND PHONES are available in the business section. What do you think AT&T does.... "Oh, I'm sorry we don't have that cheap freebie that you can buy as a consumer for you as a business... but we do have this great Blackberry - for 200 bucks!" NOT. They FOCUS on business devices with their business customers - but if they want a cheap Nokia 2610, they are more than welcome to get one.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 2:31PM]

I'm not sure how but my latest bill is giving my discount with the iPhone 3G, I'll take it.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 4:00PM]

Your FAN will not discount the iPhone itself, but because there is no separate "iPhone" plan like there was with the 1st gen, FAN discounts now are applicable on your rate plans.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2008 3:15PM]

Im lucky enough also.
i ordered my 8gb last night. cant wait

i love how cheap the plan is too with premier account.

i have been on t-mobile for the past 2 years and was paying an arm and a leg for my smart phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2008 11:36PM]

This is hot, my company email hooks me up with that website...just a few ?'s for those who have ordered from there before...

1) Does the iphone arrive fully wrapped so you can unbox yourself? I hate the idea of a grubby person getting their fingerprints all over my iphone.

2) What discount did you get? I know it varies by company, but it seems like for me I'll get the activation fee waived and 15% off of the voice and text (but not the data?)

Thanks!