AT&T has introduced an online credit check and account set-up service for the iPhone 3G, attempting to reduce in store wait time for customers.

The move means iPhone 3G customers can set up accounts online before heading to the nearest store to activate and complete the purchase.

New customers can perform a pre-qualifying credit check and determine eligibility to port an existing phone number to AT&T in advance by visiting http://www.att.com/iphone.

Existing AT&T customers can also determine eligibility to add a new line for iPhone. The new AT&T online service joins Apple's existing offering to speed iPhone purchasing up.