AT&T: “New York is not ready for the iPhone”

It looks like Apple and AT&T’s iPhone isn’t prepared for life in the Big Apple - at least not according to an AT&T representative named Daphne.

In this Consumerist article, it looks as if AT&T is no longer selling the iPhone online to customers who enter a Zip code assigned to the New York City Metro area.  It is unclear at this time if they have pulled them from store shelves in NYC as well.

A Consumerist reader gave this account of her experience with an AT&T customer service representative named Daphne:

I was on the AT&T Wireless website trying to get an iPhone. However, when I put in my zip code 11231, the site says the iPhone is unavailable. This seemed a little odd so I started punching in other famous zip codes: 90210, 60609 (spiegel catalog), 02134 (zoom, an old children’s show).For theses cities, LA, Chicago, Boston, iPhone is available. Then I looked up some other zip codes: Dallas, Miami, St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco. All those cities are ok. Then I started putting in more NYC zip codes: midtown, Staten Island, the Bronx…no iPhone available.

This is weird…AT&T has cut off New York City.

They even contacted AT&T support to verify the problem:

Daphne (AT&T):  Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?

Laura: Hi, I was looking at the iPhone 3Gs and the system tells me that I cannot order one in my ZIP code. My zip code is 11231. (Brooklyn, NY) Is this true? Are iPhones no longer available in New York City?

Daphne (AT&T): I am happy to be helping you today . Yes, this is correct the phone is not offered to you because New York is not ready for the iPhone.

Daphne (AT&T): You don’t have enough towers to handle the phone.

Laura: Thank you for your help. So the phone is not available to people anywhere in the city?

Daphne (AT&T): Yes this is correct Laura.

If this is true, it sure doesn’t bode well for AT&T, especially on the heels of operation Chokehold earlier this month!