DUE to overwhelming response, SingTel informed consumers on Monday that its initial shipment of the iPhone 3G is "almost exhausted".
It said this in an e-mail to subscribers who had registered on its iPhone 3G mailing list.
"Tens of thousands" of Singapore subscribers are said to have signed up online for the iPhone 3G, which was launched on Aug 22.
To cope with the high demand for what is arguably the world's most-coveted consumer device, SingTel has confirmed that stocks will be replenished.
When contacted by my paper, Sing- Tel declined to release the numbers for the stocks to be brought in, but said that consumers could be assured that "there will be sufficient stock to meet the demand".
However, an industry source revealed that the iPhone 3G will be restocked in "two to three weeks".
SingTel's deputy director of corporate communications, Mr Chia Boon Chong, told my paper: "Interest is still high, so we will always make sure that the demand will be met."
As of 3.15pm yesterday, the average waiting time in SingTel's hello! stores and exclusive retailers for the iPhone 3G was approximately 30 minutes, according to the company's website.
SingTel said it will continue monitoring the stocks at various stores to make sure that consumers who have reserved the phone online and at stores will get it.
In Monday's e-mail, SingTel also said that it will offer a launch special till Friday.
Customers who buy the iPhone 3G on a new or renewed contract will be entitled to a bonus mobile Internet data allowance of 1GB to 3GB, depending on their plans.
The iFlexi Value plan, for example, provides 1GB of extra mobile data storage.
Asked whether it was a marketing gimmick on the telecommunications giant's part, Mr Chia said: "No... it is a direct marketing effort to reach out to those who are interested in the iPhone but are still considering their options."
