It's cold up in Alaska, but if you show up wearing your AT&T store uniform then I'd expect some even colder glares.  While the carrier is happy to sell phones to the 48 states and Hawaii, Alaska is left wanting when it comes to the iPhone.  Local papers there are suggesting that the Apple-hungry should fly down to the nearest AT&T or Apple store and pretend to be Washington residents so as to circumnavigate the carrier's initial location-monitoring.

Of course, the network will be watching to see that you've not taken your shiny toy out of its coverage area; apparently your service will be terminated should you consistently use the iPhone for four months outside of AT&T's network.  That can be extended, apparently, by calling ahead of time and claiming to be on a long-term business trip.

It seems an awful lot of work to do to get a new cellphone, but there does seem to be one potential saving grace.  Rumour has it that previous customers caught on the four-month-plus roaming clause have not been charged the contract cancellation fee when their service was terminated.  Some are now viewing this as a possible way to get out of the AT&T contract and use the provider of their choice, without stumping up the $175 penalty the carrier demands. 

[via Consumerist]