AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook said the limited availability will only be for the initial launch. Later, it will be sold on the Internet and through other outlets.
AT&T owns 1,800 retail stores _ which it has been rebranding from Cingular since taking over complete ownership late last year _ but thousands of other franchise outlets carry the AT&T or Cingular name. In all, AT&T has 8,000 franchise outlets and retail carriers, though retailers usually carry AT&T competitors as well.
Cook said the AT&T-owned stores are branded that way, whereas other franchise outlets still carry the Cingular name.
The iPhone will sell for $499 and $599, but AT&T has not disclosed what the contract service fees will be.
The device, which uses a touch-sensitive screen rather than a keypad, has been hotly anticipated with more than 1 million people signing up with AT&T to receive notice when the device is available. Apple has not indicated how many units will be available at launch.
