AT&T Vacation Blackout Re-Affirms ‘September 21′ as iPhone 5 Launch Date

AT&T has instituted a vacation blackout for all employees from September 21 to September 30, signaling a possible iPhone 5 launch sometime during the timeframe, reports Techcrunch, citing sources familiar with the schedule. According to the report, AT&T staff will be trained for an “iconic release” scheduled for that time.

The report chimes well with BGR’s claim that next-generation iPhone will be launching anytime between 15-30th of September, with an all-hands-on-deck policy in place for employees that will extend through to the middle of October. Notably, Verizon had instituted its own vacation blackout for September 21-30.

According to an AT&T sales rep, AT&T staff has been given a vacation blackout from September 21 to September 30, just like Verizon employees. Our source also mentioned that blue carrier employees are undergoing training for an “iconic release.”

Sounds like the next-gen iPhone to me.

Looking back in AT&T’s traditional cycle, such ‘vacation blackout’ has been reliable indicators of new iPhone launches. The only time AT&T schedules these kinds of mandatory work periods, apparently, is to accommodate the influx in sales and service traffic stemming from a new product launch. The workers are not allowed to take any leave during the time frame.

The most solid evidence that support these dates so far is the report from WSJ, Bloomberg, Reuters, ATD, claiming that new iPhone will launch on second week of September. WSJ is one of Apple’s preferred channels for staging a leak to contain consumer and investor expectations. So, these dates cannot be denied completely.

Apple is anticipated to hold a media event on September 12th to announce iPhone 5 and iOS 6 followed by launch on September 21. Apple is also reportedly preparing to launch its 7.85 inch iPad Mini in a separate media event for October.

The company hasn’t sent official invitations yet, but may announce this week. The media event will likely take place inSan Francisco, the scene of many such Apple events. In that case, the venue is likely to be the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.