An AT&T executive has confirmed to employees that the next iPhone will launch in early October, Boy Genius Report reported today.

An AT&T vice president has reportedly warned employees to "expect things to get really, really busy in the next 35 to 50 days, so prepare your teams accordingly."

An AT&T representative declined CNET's request for comment.

The BGR report is the latest indicator that the iPhone will come out later than previously expected. While the iPhone has previously come out at the beginning of summer each year, the latest version is launching much later. Early reports had the phone launching anytime between September and October.

But more recently, there have been a wave of reports suggesting an October launch target.

The common speculation is that the next version of the iPhone will be unveiled in later September and hit stores in early October.

The next iPhone is expected to launch at both AT&T and Verizon Wireless at the same time, giving the two carriers an equal footing for the first time. Both versions are also expected to work globally, according to a Verizon executive.

Updated at 8:19 a.m. PT: to include AT&T's response.