AT&T Preps For Crowd Control As iPhone 3G S Release Nears

iPhone 3G had lines formed at Apple and AT&T stores

AT&T posted a video on YouTube where the company outlines exactly how the purchasing process will happen in stores on June 19.

Beginning at 7 a.m. local time on June 19, two lines will form at AT&T stores. The first line is for customers who preordered the iPhone and whose smartphones have arrived. Those customers can enter the store right at 7 a.m. and pick up their phones.

The second line is dedicated to customers who have not preordered a device. Unlike customers who preordered, the ones who just show up at an AT&T store will not be able to enter the store until regular business hours.

Once the regular opening time for the AT&T store arrives, the two lines will merge and customers who preordered the device will have priority.

In addition to purchasing the iPhone 3G S in a store, potential customers can go to AT&T's Web site to preorder the device. While there, current and potential iPhone owners can look at pricing and determine whether or not they qualify for the subsidized prices.

The 16-GB version of the iPhone 3G S will run $199; the 32-GB iPhone 3G S will set customers back $299. That is, of course, if the person is a first-time subscriber or qualifies for an upgrade.