Countdown to iPhone day, and more iPhone border issues

Be prepared. The Boy Scouts' motto could double as the mantra for iPhone customers.

The iPhone 3G, which runs on faster data networks, goes on sale in Apple and AT&T stores Friday at 8 a.m. across U.S. time zones. And if you thought it would be as easy to plop down your $199 for a low-end iPhone 3G as it was to hop on a commercial flight before 9-11, think again.

Today, Apple posted tips on what to do before going to buy an iPhone. On the day you intend to visit the store, don't forget a credit card, social security number (for the credit check), a government-issued photo ID and information about your current wireless account. Apple also suggests spending some time organizing your current phone's e-mail, contacts, music, photos and other information so they can sync more easily with your new iPhone.

Buying an iPhone for your company? Head to an AT&T store. The company has an assortment of calling plans for the business user.

The truly prepared know that no matter the situation, bring a little extra food, water and reading material for long waits. But once you get in the door, Apple should be able to process you through the store in 15 minutes, Ron Johnson, Apple's retail chief, told Bloomberg today. Apple's 185 U.S. stores are ready to handle about 100 customers an hour, he said.

And now for more border issues with the iPhone 3G. On Monday, I wrote about the Latin American wireless carrier America Movil selling the device for as low as $75 with a two-year service plan (compared with $199 with a two-year AT&T service plan for the low version in the U.S.). The difference: $124, more than enough to pay for the gas to Tijuana and back if you live in L.A.

A call to a spokeswoman for America Movil's Mexican subsidiary, Telcel, said an iPhone 3G buyer would need information necessary to do a credit check, including a ZIP Code in Mexico -- so jumping across the border for a cheaper version will be tough. The phone will work in the U.S., thanks to the roaming agreement Telcel has with AT&T. But she said it would be "kind of crazy," because you'll most likely be paying international roaming rates.

Meanwhile, up north, a spat between Apple and its partner in Canada, Rogers Wireless, means that there might be a shortage of iPhone 3Gs there come Friday, according to AppleInsider. Apple is unhappy about Rogers' pricey 3-year service plans foisted on consumers and has diverted iPhones to Europe. AppleInsider says that Apple won't sell the iPhone 3G at its own stores. But CNET says Apple isn't selling the iPhone 3G at any of its Apple stores outside the U.S. Apple didn't return our calls or e-mails seeking clarification.

What's a Canadian to do? Cross the U.S. border and buy here? Not so fast. You will need a U.S. government issued I.D. for the credit check on the two-year service plan you would have to buy here. And then, of course, to phone home to Canada, you would have to pay big for international calls or buy an international plan.

-- Michelle Quinn

Photo by Andrew Ross / AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[Michael Donovan]

Rogers is notorious for having ridiculously overpriced cellular rates. I am very angry that now that we finally get the iPhone in Canada the data plans have caps. The high end plan is $115 with 800 minutes, 300 texts and 2GB data! Are you kidding me, Rogers?! The top end package isn't even unlimited. With Facebook and youTube and GPS via Google Maps the only way to do justice to the iPhone's whole purpose is to have an unlimited data plan. I have waited for a year for this phone. F-U, Rogers. I can wait even longer.

[cal]

Most countries are pretty well off for the iPhone. Here NZ we are paying up to 5 times more than other countries and Vodafone admit this. There is no plan where you can get it free and even if you do fork a few hundred dollars($349) for it the monthly plan is for 24 months at $250 a month(over $6000 in 2 years) and you only get a tiny 1 gig of data and 600 minutes talk time, so those with AT&T and in Canda think yourselves lucky this time. New Zealanders are the ones being conned this time around. Most Kiwis a searching the world to see where to impoort them form.

[Dave]

Long time Rogers customers after spending so much of there money are treated same as brand new customers...must sign a new year contract. So much for reciprocated loyalty from Rogers.

Since Rogers treats there customers like crap, then I suggest customers should do the same in kind.

I for one am Refusing to purchase an iphone now. I wanted one really bad but after all this, enough is enough. I'll wait a bit longer for the competition coming next year and get a much better deal while other will still have 2 more years under contract at a much higher rate!!!

[mufeed]

i phone is nice