Early access...whats the point?

[Ehr]

I am not 100% certain but is maintenance not the same day as early access? So i can kind of see what op means if that be the case
Somewheres i had read that maintenance was going to be a few days before ea so not sure they changed it?
Again i am not 100% sure so feel free to quote me and clarify as i am sure some of you will do, lol

HW maintenance starts June 18th 2:00 AM PDT and ends June 19th 2:00 AM PDT. Early Access starts on the 19th.

Early Access Start Date & Time
From Friday, June 19, 2015 at 2:00 a.m. (PDT)