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Sprint has Palm Pre exclusive through 2009

After Verizon and AT&T reveal their plans to offer the Palm Pre, Sprint affirms that it has the exclusive on the smartphone through 2009.

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Just after Verizon Wireless revealed that it would offer the Palm Pre in the next six months or so, Sprint has pushed back and asserted that it will have the exclusive on the Palm Pre through 2009.

The confirmation came on Thursday afternoon from Sprint spokesman James Fisher, who simply said, "We have the Pre through 2009." The length of the exclusive isn't really much of a surprise given Sprint's track record of exclusives in the past, which usually last six to nine months. It falls within Verizon's timeline.

Sprint has struggled behind its competitors in offering flagship devices and probably felt the need to flex a little muscle after both Verizon and AT&T said it would offer the Pre in the future. As much as Palm is banking on the Pre as its comeback, so is Sprint.

The Palm Pre for Sprint goes on sale nationwide June 6 for $199.99 with a two-year contract.

(Source: SmartMoney via PhoneScoop)