How does early access work?

So I was checking the Beta Roadmap http://http://gdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/download/en/FFXIV_2.0_BETA_Roadmap_EN.pdf and I see that those willing to play during phase 4 in a PS3 must purchase a copy of FFXIV:ARR. So PS3 users will have to buy a copy of the game in order to play Phase 4 or this is only to avoid your character being deleated once the phase 4 ends? Does this means that PS3 players will have early access after buying a copy of the game during phase 4?