O2 has remained tight lipped on reports suggesting that it has nabbed an exclusive deal to sell Palm's new Pre handset.
The mobile network has previously been linked to the device based on Palm's new webOs platform, but a Guardian report published this weekend added further weight to the rumours.
Just last week, Sprint announced that it would be making the Palm Pre available in the US from 6 June, but there has been no official word as yet as to when UK users can get their hands on the device.
"We don't comment on rumour and speculation and have made no announcement on this particular handset," an O2 spokesperson told IT PRO in a statement.
Vodafone was previously in the running for such a deal.
If the reports do indeed prove true and O2 does obtain Pre exclusivity in the UK, the move will mirror the network's arrangement with Apple for its iPhone, for which O2 currently has an exclusive tie-in.
The iPhone has enjoyed phenomenal success since its launch back in 2007, with the second generation 3G device, continuing that momentum.
The Palm Pre is tipped by many as being the device that, thanks to its innovative touch screen interface and other features, may just steal some of the iPhone's thunder.
