Network operator O2 is reported to have won the sought-after deal to exclusively sell Apple's much anticipated iPhone in the UK.

Initial press reports suggest that O2 is set to sign an exclusive contract shortly and should have the new phones on sale in time for Christmas.



The iPhone will only be available on O2 in the UK


O2 have so far declined to comment on the breaking news, which comes as a surprise as rival Vodafone had previously been tipped as the likely winner of the contract.

More than 500,000 iPhones were sold in the first weekend in the US by AT&T, which has exclusive rights across the Atlantic.

The agreement with O2 is reported to include Apple receiving a continuing share of the revenue generated for the mobile operator.

The handsets are expected to be sold for around £300 and O2 will be hoping that the lure of the fashionable phone is enough to win customers from rival networks.