O2 has sent out an email to those customers that had registered for information on the availability of the new 3G iPhone. In the message the firm apologises for not being able to fulfill its potential orders.

"If you tried to order an Apple iPhone 3G on Monday (7 July 2008) and experienced difficulties, we're really sorry" the message reads, before offering the recipient a link to follow for all the "latest details".

The latest details are, that both O2 and the Carphone Warehouse will have limited numbers of the 3G phones, a few dozen per store; that some stores will be opening up at 8.02am, and that although it is sorry that it is already out of stock, the iPhone 3G will "be worth the wait" – a fact of little solace to those waiting.

Consumers that manage to bag a phone on the first day will get just that, sales of the 3G iPhone will be limited to one per customer, or two for business customers.

Although the online store is already out of stock O2 said that it would be working with Apple to get additional units, and added that all users should expect to get an iPhone by the end of the summer.