iPhone 3G S activation delays: 'some time,' 3 hours or 2 days?

An iPhone 3G S waiting for "some time" to become activated on the AT&T Network. Credit: David Sarno / Los Angeles Times

The iPhone 3G S certainly arrived on time, but some owners of the new phone eager to start voice controlling, video recording and just enjoying their new gadgetry had their instant gratification put on hold. 

In some parts of the U.S., AT&T's activation systems were experiencing delays on newly purchased iPhones, including the older 3G model, whose price was lowered to $99 recently.

A message on the screen of phones straining to be recognized by the network read: "Waiting for activation. This may take some time."

We called an Apple iPhone customer service representative to help us with our own activation (see picture above). She cautioned that, after the initial online setup, consumers might have to wait hours for their phone to find the network.

"We just got an e-mail saying, ‘Please advise customers that there could be 2-3 hour delay in activation' of the phones," she said, explaining that the glitch was "due to an absolutely huge volume of phones that went out today."

"Evidently we’ve sold more phones than we thought we were going to sell," she said. "It’s taking AT&T longer than we thought it would take them to get all these phones set up."

Apple's media relations team did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

CNET reported that some users are receiving a message noting that activation could take "up to 48 hours."

The activation delays closely resembled a similar source of user frustration from last summer's launch of Apple's 3G model.

However, an AT&T service representative suggested that repeatedly cycling the power on a new phone might speed the activation process.

We used this method and, whether it made a difference or not, our phone finally jacked into the network. And it took only two hours.

-- David Sarno

Comments

[chris]

I have this issue.

I pre-ordered my phone via AT&T. It arrived yesterday on the first Friday. I didn't start my set-up until after 9pm est, which is after the AT&T help desk closes.

When I went to my account last night (Friday), it was showing both rate plans for data (the old one and the new one, the new one for the 3Gs had a date of 8/10/09).

When I go there today this is what I see (btw, I don't understand where to find my instructions for the SIM card, it wasn't in the box they sent me... or I am totally missing it):

Message about my account
GP103: Due to a pending upgrade we are unable to change your rate plan online. If you have recently upgraded your phone, please follow the instructions sent with the device to use the new SIM card and accept the terms and conditions. Click here to check on the status of a pending order. If this issue persists please contact customer care at 1-800-331-0500 for assistance.

[Chas]

Chris,

Your suppose to use the sim card you have if they didnt send you a new one with the new phone. :o)

[Scott Keefer]

i am still waiting on the activation to happen. Its been 15 hours for me.. I was faster to ship from China threw Hong Konk then to Kentucky and then to Houston in 2 days UPS did a great job of getting it here. ATT needs help supporting their partnership with Apple.. Maybe Apple needs its on wireless network.
my first notice trying to activate the phone said it could take 24 to 48 hours to activate..

[kentyman]

I talked to them online on their technical support chat. She changed the SIM and IMEI in the system by hand, and everything worked. She said this would've eventually happened automatically, but she just did it manually instead. You might want to try the same thing if you can't wait any longer.

[chris]

Thanks Chas, the phone included a sim card, but there was a step to agree to the terms that I didn't know how to do. They also have a toll free number to call that is an automated system for this. I used this for my second line on my account.

Thanks Kentyman, I called the weekend support and did as you noted.

The AT&T rep was super helpful and very friendly

I have to say that "S" really does stand for Speed. I had the first generation iphone and even on my wifi it is much quicker. I am also impressed with the 3G performance.

[Diana]

Two hours?!? Try 4 days!

I pre-ordered my 3Gs on Tuesday, directly from apple.com. Got it in hand Friday afternoon, and initiated activation that evening, before 6PM. I was then informed it could take "up to 48 hours", and would receive an e-mail from them when activation was complete. About 38 hours later, I got an e-mail from Apple alright - telling me the "technical difficulties" had been resolved, but my activation could take UP TO ANOTHER 48 HOURS. Oh, by the way - here's $30 gift credit on you apple.com account.

Gee thanks, but can I just use my phone? PS Instinctively, I've been trying the cycling power trick, off and on, all weekend...hasn't helped me.

[Bpowers]

I waited 2 hours. Called AT&T. They said "Do a full power down". When I powered back up it instantly found the network and I was activated.

[Dan Kelly]

Yeah, this annoys the crap out of me. I just ordered an iPhone 3G 16GB refurb through the apple site last week, got it today via ups 2nd day air. I plugged it into the wall, let it charge like it said to then installed itunes and plugged it in. Itunes did it's thing and then it said I was supposed to go to the site to activate it. I did so and got the message

"Our records indicate that all wireless numbers have been upgraded for this account. If you feel you have reached this message in error, please call 1-800-331-0500 for assistance."

Alright, so I called the number. AT&T makes enough money charging $20 for a few kilobytes of SMS messages that should be included in the data plan right? So I figured they'd have 24 hour support... nope. Now my phone says "Waiting for activation, this may take some time." Damn right it might take some time.

To add insult to injury, the Apple site said my iPhone would have a 1 year warranty, but the box and the documents in it say i have 90 days. Why is it only 90 days if it's supposed to be the same great quality Apple product? Can't get any insurance on it either, nor do I think it's eligible for the apple care protection plan.

AT&T Knows how to take care of loyal customers. I hope they drown in bad assets and the execs lose everything. This is bad management, and as much as I'd hate to blame Apple too, they are somewhat at fault here as well.