Select AT&T customers are now eligible for early upgrades. The upgrades waive costly early termination fees (ETF) and allow users to upgrade to a new device with commitment to a new two-year contract.
The move by AT&T has been widely reported and confirmed by Wireless Week.
AT&T declined to comment on the changes.
The new upgrades come just hours before Apple is set to open its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) with a keynote by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Many believe it is a given that Jobs will unveil a new iPhone at the conference. Eliminating ETFs for certain customers would clear the way for them to purchase the new iPhone if and when it is released.
Apple recently announced that the iPhone 3G is out of stock, following a clearance of the phone, selling it for $50 with a new two-year contract. Also, the iPhone 3GS is now priced at $99.