Telefonica and O2 Confirm Exclusive Rights to the Palm Pre

Palm has confirmed an oft-rumoured deal that grants exclusive rights to resell the Palm Pre to Telefonica in Spain and its O2 subsidiary in UK, Ireland and Germany. O2 now has both of the most hyped smartphones on the market, the Palm Pre and Apple's iPhone.

"Europe continues to be an important region for Palm, and we're proud to work with O2 and Movistar to spread the excitement Palm Pre has already ignited in North America," said Jon Rubinstein, Palm chairman and chief executive officer. "Since we showed Palm Pre at Mobile World Congress in February, there's been a great deal of anticipation for an announcement about European availability, and that day is here."

"We are fast becoming the home of the smartphone with the addition of the hotly-anticipated Palm Pre to our already extensive portfolio," said Matthew Key, chairman and chief executive officer, Telefónica Europe. "Our customers will be the first outside of North America to experience one of the most successful mobile devices of the year."

In its first weekend of availability in the United States, Palm Pre broke Sprint's previous first-weekend sales records. Palm Pre also is scheduled to debut in Canada with Bell Mobility in the second half of 2009.

The phone will be launched in the European markets "in time for the winter holidays". Pricing for the phone has not yet been determined.

Customers who would like to register to be notified when it's available can register at:

• UK and Ireland: http://www.palm.com/uk-pre-notify
• Germany: http://www.palm.com/de-pre-notify
• Spain: http://www.palm.com/es-pre-notify

Posted to the site on 7th July 2009