O2 tipped as Palm Pre carrier in the UK

Palm and O2 have yet to confirm any deal for the Pre

Palm is set to announce that O2 has won exclusive rights to carry its Pre smartphone in the UK, according to new reports. However, both companies have declined to confirm or deny the rumours.

The smartphone maker has already raised speculation over an announcement it is due to make to the press early next week. However, since this became public knowledge, The Guardian has posted a report on its web site stating that O2 has secured the deal to carry the Pre handset in the UK.

If this turns out to be true, it would be a significant coup for the carrier, as it also has exclusive rights in the UK to Apple's new iPhone 3GS. The two handsets are currently the most widely coveted smartphones on the market.

However, The Guardian did not reveal a source for its information, while the two companies have remained tight-lipped and declined to give any hint of whether the rumours are correct.

"No announcement has been made yet. It's purely rumour and speculation at this stage," said a spokesperson in O2's press office.

Palm's response was pretty much the same. "It's no comment. We can't confirm or deny these reports until any announcement has been made," said a spokesperson.