Massive demand for the updated Apple iPhone caused its pre-order website to crash today.
The updated and cheaper version of the iPhone is set to be released in Britain on Friday and queues are set to form
The new 3G version of the phone goes on sale in Britain at 8am on Friday and O2 had previously said that customers could register on the site so they could pre-order the new phone.
However, due to "extremely high levels of demand" they had to suspend the site.
A statement from the company said: 'Due to extremely high levels of demand, the O2 online shop is temporarily unavailable.
'We are working to restore the service as quickly as possible.
'Customers who are unable to place an order online can still go into store from 8.02am on 11 July, although we urge people to get down there early as demand is expected to be very high.'
The anticipation is building ahead of Friday's launch and queues have started around the world.
Dozens of customers are already camping outside the New York Apple store, with British fans expected to start similar queues soon.
The new phone, which will be available free for customers on O2's most expensive tariffs, is expected to become the summer's most popular gadget.
It has faster download speeds than the original iPhone, can work as a satnav and download games and other software.
O2 is limiting purchases to one per customer.
CEO Ronan Dunne said: 'We expect them to sell like hotcakes.'
The updated version of the combined iPod and mobile phone was unveiled by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs last month and is expected to lead to a renewed high street battle between the company and rivals Nokia.
The iPhone 3G is a cheaper and more powerful replacement for the £269 original and is part of a drive to boost sales.
Available in black and white, it claims to load internet pages about 2.8 times faster than the original.
At last month's Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, Mr Jobs said: 'The number one reason people didn't buy the iPhone was that they couldn't afford it, so we need to make it more affordable.'
In the US it will cost $199 but in Britain it will be free for customers on certain tariffs.
It will only be available from O2, Carphone Warehouse and Apple stores, and will only work on the O2 network.
The phone will be given away to customers who sign up to O2 tariffs costing either £45 or £75 a month, and will cost between £59 and £59 for customers on other tariffs.
A new lower cost £30-a-month tariff was also introduced, with the iPhone costing £99.
AFP/07th July 2008
Massive demand for iPhone crashes O2 website as fans start four-day queue 
Re: Massive demand for iPhone crashes O2 website as fans start four-day queue 
Linear Mode
