No huge surprise here, beyond seeing it in writing, but a leaked memo shows employees are being instructed not to speculate about the rumors of iPhone 5 launching on the Sprint network.

Action Required: Do not Speculate about Sprint Getting the iPhone.

No doubt, with rumors swirling, local customer service reps are getting bombarded with questions (and we're getting bombarded with "tips" from Sprint customers, who heard something from a rep, who likely read it on the blogs...), and that can only hurt sales of the devices Sprint actually has on the shelves now.

What would be a surprise is if T-Mobile US doesn't soon follow suit.

[SprintFeed, thanks Mark!]

Verizon is once again reminding their employees and family members to put the customers first and refrain from buying a Verizon iPhone themselves, at least for the time being. An email memo sent out today to all employees says:

Focus on Customer Is Key to Verizon iPhone Launch

To help ensure we meet customer demand for iPhones, Verizon is urging employees and their families to postpone purchases of the popular smartphone, whether online or in retail stores, for the time being.

“Customers and non-customers alike have waited for years to see this product on America’s most reliable wireless network,” notes Verizon Wireless Chief Operating Officer John Stratton. “Demand will be unprecedented.

“Now it’s here. This is our chance to show those millions of people what it means to be a Verizon customer -- providing them the best network, joined by the very best customer service and support, all adding up to a world-class customer experience.

“Part of that experience is ensuring we’re able to meet our customers’ needs in the midst of what will surely be unprecedented customer demand.

“I know customers aren’t the only ones who are excited – employees are, too. While I share your excitement, over the coming weeks we all need to do our part to meet our customers’ needs -- this means putting our customers first.

“After all, that’s the way we do business. That’s the Verizon Credo in action.

“This is an historic moment in time to rally together and show our loyal customers and new ones what our culture is all about.”

Are you happy Verizon brass is putting your Verizon iPhone first, or are you just wondering how many Verizon employees or family members will sneak off to Apple Retail Stores on February 10 to snag a Verizon iPhone on the sly?

Given how kick-in-the-crotch fake the last supposed leaked memo from Rogers (the Canadian GSM monopoly and exclusive iPhone 3G carrier) was, I'm taking this with a Rockies-sized grain of salt. If even remotely accurate, however, it looks like:

In order to unbrick the iPhone in store (which is a requirement of the iPhone Sales Process), you must have iTunes version 7.6.3b4. Installed on your computer. This version has a special 'Activation Only Mode' that must be enabled and used in store.

For complete details, including the unbelievable but very Rogers-like ban on all forms of publicity, posters, and promotion (no advertising until 13 weeks post-launch?!), and more telco-related acronyms and contractions than you can shake your head at, check out the read link.

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Apple Insider claims to have gotten their hands on a three page memo from Apple to Apple Store staff containing a form of Frequently Asked Questions. We say "a form" because the officially dictated answers to almost all customer questions are pretty much variations on "we dunno."

Highlights include:

• No holding iPhone 3G's
• First come, first serve
• No personal shopping reservations
• No info regarding upgrades
• iPod Touch is competitive due to lack of contract requirement
• No info on future iPod Touch price drops
• Talk to AT&T about activations
• Talk to AT&T about corporate and bulk purchases
• Talk to AT&T about roaming
• Wait for AT&T to release detailed rate plans

Should be easy, given that it's only a few weeks before release, and we still know so very little...

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There's a memo being circulated everywhere from TiPb's comments to some of the biggest sites on the blogsphere, that purports to contain leaked information on Rogers -- the GSM monopoly with de-facto exclusive iPhone 3G rights in Canada -- rate plans, including data rates, which have historically been a HUGE issue for Canadians.

The information in this memo gives the impression that Canadians, at long last, might just get the same data rates as AT&T. In fact, the memo seems nearly identical in almost every find-and-replace way to the AT&T memo that leaked a while back. This has led many, myself included, to believe it's just another hoax, another way to toy with the battered-consumer syndrome sufferers north of the border.

(Of course, none of this would be possible if Rogers would just release their own plan info -- like almost every real carrier has already done!)

UPDATE: There's a second theory circulating which suggests that the memo may be both legit, and also an almost find-and-replace match for the AT&T memo, reason given Apple influence/wording or just similar contract terms agreed to with Apple.

I'm still not sure. This would be such a radically good departure towards fairness and competitiveness that I just can't bring myself to believe Rogers would do it. Please, PLEASE, prove me wrong! $30 unlimited for data, even given the more-evil 3 year term, would be industry-shifting good.