Carphone reveals iPhone 3G PAYG "in time for Christmas"

As retailer begins online pre-order process for "limited time"

7 July 2008 10:54 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

While O2's iPhone 3G pre-order plans are uncertain, with the online shop going live and then apparently crumbling under demand, the Carphone Warehouse has announced it has started taking online orders for device.

Customers can order the iPhone 3G at www.carphonewarehouse.com/iphone but only "for a limited time", which is basically, while stocks last.

The company says those who place their order online with The Carphone Warehouse will be guaranteed delivery of the iPhone 3G on 11 July - subject to availability.

In addition, The Carphone Warehouse has also announced that the iPhone 3G will go on sale in its stores nationwide from 8:02am on Friday 11 July in "major" conurbations.

The Carphone Warehouse says that "while numbers of pre-registrations for the launch of the original iPhone were high, this has increased more than ten-fold for the launch of the iPhone 3G".

As part of the pre-order announcement Carphone has revealed that the iPhone 3G will also be available on pay as you go at the Carphone Warehouse "in time for the Christmas period" with pricing details will be confirmed closer to the time.

This is the first time a timescale has been revealed for the non-contract version in the UK, as it has previously been assumed it would be available in July.