AT&T has finally released the Apple iPhone to business and enterprise customers, according to TidBITs. Previously, US customers had to provide a Social Security Number to open an iPhone account. This rule made early adopters use their own credit to get an iPhone, although it didn’t stop sales to corporate and small business customers.
This new change should help AT&T unload its inventory of first-generation iPhones before a second-generation iPhone with 3G data services and stereo Bluetooth audio is announced in the next few months.
Software vendors like Salesforce.com needed this change to spur corporate adoption of iPhone CRM software, as I discussed on 30 October 2007. On 31 January 2008, I mentioned that iPhone applications are in the pipeline. I’d guess that availability may be tied to the second-generation iPhone release.
I discussed some business and enterprise issues related to the iPhone on 4 September 2007 and 6 July 2007.
Tags: Apple, at&t, audio, business, cloud, enterprise, GSM, iPhone, mobile
