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Oct. 11, 2008

AT&T wants to simplify life for potential Apple iPhone buyers this holiday season.

AT&T said its customers can now use the Internet to perform a pre-qualifying credit check.

They can also use it to determine if existing phone numbers can be ported to the wireless carrier's network before visiting a retail store to complete the purchase.

AT&T also wants to avoid a repeat of the few activation glitches experienced in July when many customers signed up during the phone’s initial launch. AT&T is the exclusive distributor of the Apple iPhone 3G.

The new online features are similar to what Apple already offers. For example, mobile users can go online to select a service plan if they intend to visit an Apple retail store. An AT&T spokesman said the announcement is intended to ease store lines ahead of the winter holidays.

Unlike in 2007, the iPhone now has more competition such as the Sprint Instinct from Samsung, Verizon Storm from Research In Motion and a variety of unlocked Windows Mobile phones.

But market leader Nokia’s 5800 XpressMusic mobile handset won't be widely available until early in February 2009.

Additionally, AT&T said it isn't ready to disclose its other plans for boosting holiday sales, company officials said.

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Source: AT&T.