AT&T vacation blackout points to iPhone 5 for September 21 release

Reports indicate that AT&T has informed its employees of a strict blackout on vacation days, which could hint at the iPhone 5 launch date.

An AT&T sales representative told a published report that employees are not allowed to take time off between September 21 and September 30.

The time frame fits the expected launch of the iPhone 5, a time when the carrier's stores would need to be fully staffed to handle the influx of customers.

However, an AT&T spokesperson later reached out to the site denying a blackout on vacation days for employees.

All roads converge in September

While AT&T's management may not want to admit to an outright blackout on vacation days, something is certainly brewing for the end of September.

Reports from Verizon sales associates indicate that the carrier is also enforcing a vacation blackout from September 21 to the end of the month. And unlike AT&T, no Verizon representative has yet refuted the claim.

Apple has scheduled a special event for September 12, where the new iPhone and a much-rumored 7-inch iPad Mini are expected to be unveiled.

The unnamed sources who first leaked word of the event also suggested that the iPhone 5 will launch nine days after, on September 21.

While all of this should still be considered speculation, all signs and rumors seem to be converging on September 21 for the likely iPhone 5 launch date.

All questions will be answered in just a few weeks, when Apple officially pulls back the curtain on its next hotly-anticipated smartphone.