It has nothing to do with warranty. In all other places where the iphone is sold like in Mexico, there is no Appe store.

Also in PR we can buy other apple producs like Macs and ipod touch and have warranty.

I agree with everybody here that what’s happening is not fair; I should just be able to walk in an ATT store in PR and just buy the damn thing; however, the truth is that Apple and ATT are not discriminating against Puerto Rico or its people. Rather, blame the differences in their accounting practices and infrastructure. Apple has no business presence in PR; It handles PR business through its latin american operations channel that has distributors such as Modernica. AppleCare agreements are not usable in PR. Also, opening Apple Stores in PR would mean that Apple would compete directly with its LA channel distributors who would not take kindly to that. ATT, on the other hand, properly recognizes PR as a US Territory and as such recognizes sales and revenue properly, but if something goes wrong with your phone, who will support you? ATT relies on Apple for hardware support. So it’s a sucky Catch-22 situation that will not get resolved any time soon.

My advice:Stop listening to idiots like Wilton Vargas (Mr. Holier-Than-Thou Tecnetico, tech expert wannabe) and “Obsessed iphone 3g researcher on diapers”. Iphone 3g will NOT be sold in PR anytime soon. If you are lucky enough to have family in the states, have them buy you one (change your billing address temporarily and ask them to pay with a debit/credit card with US zip code, and you will get it in no time. Good luck to you all!

Why here in Puerto Rico we can buy the iPod Touch but not the iPhone?

Also we can Buy any ATT Phone exept the iPhone.

1) Wilton Vargas is an egotistical fool. I sent him an email way before July 11 telling him that the phone would NOT be for sale on July 11 nor anytime soon. He did not extend me the courtesy of a reply. Now he posts an editorial, and rather than apologize for his screw up (in his original article he was very sure of his “officially confirmed” speculations) he offers a big public display of ego stroking, along with a snippet of more inane drivel. This guy’s a nobody wanna-be.

2) PR AT&T employees HAVE taken the iPhone 3G training. They DO NOT know if/when he phone will be for sale.

However, not all is bad news, provided you are 1) an existing ATT wireless customer and 2) you have a billing address anywhere in the US (‘xcept PR of course. Sucks to be us.). if you do, you can walk into any ATT store and get your iPhone 3G with your existing 787/939 area code. I went to a store in FL yesterday and did the process in about 10 minutes. ATT is doing what they call “Direct Fullfillment”, or in simple language “pay the phone upfront now, we’ll order it four you, and we’ll call you within 10-21 days when it gets here so you can come get it”. No changes to your existing plan are necessary, you will just add the $30/monthly Unlimited data/Web iphone option and one of the messaging packages (they start at $5/200msgs and go up from there) and you’re done.

I did this yesterday in a ATT store in FL and have my order number and all paperwork. Your mileage may vary. I don’t know about Apple Stores, New customers, or anything other than what I am posting here, so good luck!