Verizon Wireless has reportedly offered staff at its call centers ‘unlimited overtime’ this Tuesday — the day Apple is set to announce its fifth-generation iPhone. Although recent reports claim the device will launch a week or two after the event, Verizon is “expecting something big to drop THAT DAY.”
Macgasm has received information from several sources who claim that Verizon is encouraging its call center staff — those in Salt Lake City at least — to work overtime so that it can cope with the aftermath of Apple’s announcement tomorrow.
Why anyone in their right mind would extend their workday at a call center is beyond me, but it’s clear that Verizon is expecting something big to drop THAT DAY. I honestly was not expecting a product to drop on Tuesday, but just an announcement for something to come later that week/month. However, Verizon appears to be bracing themselves for a lot of orders and device activations.
The report goes on to predict that an iPhone 4S and an iPhone 5 will hit shelves on the same day it’s announced in Cupertino, however, I believe that’s wishful thinking.
Even if Apple’s new iPhone doesn’t launch until next week, or the week after that, or even the month after that, carriers the world over are going to receive a flood of calls from eager Apple customers who are desperate to upgrade the second Apple’s announcement hits the headlines. It’s highly likely, then, that Verizon is simply preparing itself for the influx of calls about the new device, and not actually new orders and activations.
It would be great to see the device launch tomorrow, but I just don’t expect that to happen.
What do you think?
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
28 responses to “Will The New iPhone Be Available To Buy Tomorrow? Verizon Sure Seems To Think So.”
I think we would have heard / seen more from leak-happy store reps if that were the case. Never has there been an announcement and launch on the same day. Can you imagine the stampede out of Moscone West?
I will say this – take it with a huge grain of salt – someone from AT&T told me last week that Oct. 4 will be the day it launches. Don’t know the person, but I thought it worth sharing now since you’re hearing the same thing at VZW.
I highly doubt it will launch tomorrow, personally. It’ll be announced, then launch next Thursday.
maybe it’s just iOS 5 that will drop tomorrow. i know that if you’re having issues with iPhone software, most people call AT&T which has call options to be connected to an Apple representative if they can’t help. WHO THE HELL KNOWS! I’m over this speculation, this is the last year I’m following this ish… it’s too stressful.
Think you hit the nail on the head. The majority of people are not rabid tech blog followers like we are – they hear “new iPhone” and rather than looking for more info, they reach for their now ancient iPhone and call their carriers to see if they qualify for an upgrade.
Perhaps Verizon will also announce that you can surf the web and talk on the Verizon iPhone 5 simultaneously. Talk about a stake in the heart for AT&T
They could be extending their hours to deal with preorders and the crashed/unresponsive websites that happen each time a new iPhone is announced.
As an AT&T employee, I’ve got nothIng to sell except the iPhone 4 tomorrow as fer as Apple goes. Unless some mystery package arrives today, it ain’t happening.
Agree!
Will start taking orders tomorrow!!
Not unless they changed their whole network…
It is NOT launching tomorrow. If it was we’d have had way more leaks about marketing stuff showing up at Apple stores, more leaked training screenshots from that iPad thing they have, reports of cancelled workshops and the Genius Bars being unavailable to book appointments.
Also, if Verizon really thought the phone was launching tomorrow it wouldn’t be just call center staff. it would be everyone.
they expect a shit ton of calls from folks wanting to know if they can preorder/reserve and to check if they are eligible for reduced pricing etc. That’s it.
Yes and no. If the trouble is related to making a phone call, many folks will call the carrier only to be told they have to go to Apple. Especially if they bought the iPhone at a carrier shop.
If it is not about making a call or getting on the internet with 3g many folks figure out to go to Apple
won’t be a stampede out of Moscone West given that the 200-250 folks that will fit into the announcement will be at Town Hall on the Apple Campus
as for ATT and Verizon saying tomorrow is launch date, it is rather clear they consider the day they can ‘legally’ start talking orders to be the launch even if the product doesn’t arrive for several more days
I know, you’re right about Moscone West.. I realized that after I posted.
Anddd… you’re right about carriers considering “announcement” date to be “launch” date.
Lots of being right for you today. Might go buy a lottery ticket! ;)
You can on Verizon 4G LTE, if u live in one of those select areas
I would bet its either Pre-Orders for a release by the end of next week (considering its ONLY call centers) OR its the release of iOS 5 and people looking for help. I’m betting its pre-orders I just hope the rumors of Sprint hording the iPhone 5 and leaving Verizon and AT&T with the iPhone 4S