3G S sales expectations shift higher, Apple offers $30 credit for activation issues

Here's some news on the new 3G network that may explain its popularity and provide some more all round info: http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=DZB9R9G4G5Q6&preview=article&linkid=84075567-d911-4834-915d-26ba0bf58684&pdaffid=ZVFwBG5jk4Kvl9OaBJc5%2bg%3d%3d

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I had to use my OLD 3G SIM in my NEW 3GS phone in order to get it activated. I waited nearly 18 hours before switching out the SIMs.

I tried to activate my phone within 10 min of receiving it in the mail and got the message that activation would take a while and I would receive an e-mail when it would be activated. I simply removed the active SIM card from the phone I had (nokia n75) and inserted in the iphone. For the first 30 minutes data was the only thing not working (had no problems making/receiving calls/sms). After the initial 30 minutes I started browsing the App Store and installing some free apps. I kept using the that same SIM card (still says Cingular on it) until Sunday morning when I woke up and noticed that I had "No Service". I checked my e-mail and it said that my iphone was activated. I had another e-mail from apple saying that they were sorry about the delay in activation and that I would get an e-mail on Monday for a $30 gift to the Itunes store. I inserted the new SIM that came with it and was back in business :)

Wow, that is incredible. I walked into an AT&T store Friday on my lunch hour, bought two 32GB 3G Ss and they activated on the spot. Couldn't have went smoother.

Sorry to hear about everyone's troubles, but it's awesome that Apple is taking care of it this way.

Can't wait in here in Japan. If we will be getting any activation issues. I can't wait for this Friday for the 3GS.

I drove to the AT&T Store, and he said since I had mine delivered, the transition tot he new phone was already in place, and I would have to wait. I ended up swapping out the SIM card, which worked.

Wow - I'm sorry for those who had a bad experience. I went to an Apple Store is San Antonio, TX day after launch. Nobody was in the line outside the store (it was late afternoon). I walked up to the person with the Macbook Air, said I wanted to get a phone, they put in the info and within 15 minutes I had my phone and it was activated. It honestly couldn't have been better. The only issue I had was at the AT&T store after that, waiting longer to get phone numbers & sims swapped since my wife's phone was the only one eligible for an upgrade.

I was semi-affected by the activation delays. When I got the phone Friday afternoon iTunes said 24-48 hours wait for activation. I chatted online with an AT&T rep Saturday morning and the phone was activated manually. Do I still get a credit? I'd hope so from Apple since (from what I've read) their infrastructure is what had issues... Not AT&T's.

My 3G S was ordered from Apple last week and I received it before noon on friday via Fed Ex. We "upgraded" one line of our family plan with the intention of using the new iPhone on the second line (my line.) So like any well meaning upgrader I threw my SIM card into the new device and plugged it into iTunes. Upon entering our zip code, last 4 of our SSN, and agreeing to the TOS I was told that the SIM card in the phone didn't match the SIM number associated with the iPhone. The message advised to insert the provided SIM and the replug the iPhone to iTunes. So, I spent a little while calling AT&T and Apple having my phone number attached to the new provided SIM - plugged it in and... the same message. Now I was phone-less. I went to the nearest AT&T corporate store and explained. 2 hours and 3 SIM cards later, the same message. We even tried deactivating the SIM in my bf's phone (which was the "upgraded" line) created a new SIM with his number and tried that... no dice. Finally I left my phone at the store went across town picked up the my bf's phone and deactivated SIM and went back to the store. The AT&T rep was still on the phone with Apple 30+ minutes later with no result but to have them call me later. Last chance, he took the deactivated sim card from the recently retrieved phone popped it in the 3G S, plugged it into iTunes and we got a pulse. So, after 4 hours I had an live an kicking 3G S and after 36 hours I had an email promising a $30 iTunes credit. It was ultimately a a typical iPhone activation experience for me (don't ask...) But, well worth it.

AT&T fails again... seriously Apple when will wake up and allow multiple providers? It amazes however how impatient and self-entitled people have become. OMG you had to wait a day or two for your phone to activate? It used to be ALL phones took days to activate. OMG you waited in line? didn't you kinda expect that when you went down there on 3GS release day. OMG your shipment was a day late to your doorsetp! you should get a free month of service...

It's a phone people... it's a awesome amazingly great phone... it's not food for the starving... or water for the thirsty... or medication for the terminally ill... it's a phone...

P.S. "first-day sales for the 3G S blew past" has a mal-formed link in it... http://http//mediacentre.....