Sprint has Palm Pre exclusive through 2009

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

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)

[strykernyc]

When is HTC releasing their new sexy phone running WebOS?

[sting7k]

Unload your Palm stock quick people, Sprint is going to kill Palm keeping the Pre locked up all year.

[vbowker]

How's that?

[oneAwake]

Which would you rather have, an iphone on a spotty network, or a device that exceeds the iphone on a better network. Also, last I checked the Pre is not a US exclusive.

[anilsudh]

@oneWake
Or you could have a junkware phone, like the Pre, running on a non-existent network, like Sprint. Please give me a break.

[trippendicular57]

@anilsudh
How is the country's best 3G network, Sprint, "non-existent"? Do you live in a cave?

How is the Pre a "junkware phone"? Do you have one that you have gotten loads of experience with?

Get off AT&T and the Apple juice.

[bmason1270]

Um, the rest of hte year IS 6 months. There is no story here.

[sds1977]

AT&T's crappy network didn't hurt the Iphone too much when it came out, so I think it would be stupid to assume that Sprint is going to hurt Palm. Sprint is ranked the best 3G network in the country and is tied for 1st in a couple large markets for call quality and least number of blocked and dropped calls.

[bimmin]

Plus tons of us already have Sprint

[anilsudh]

It's the best 3G because there is hardly anyone using the network. It is also ranked #1 in worst customer service. I think you conveniently forgot to mention that.

[joeshmoefromoregon]

So I just have to tell you that we have been with sprint for like 8 years now and I was more then disappointed that our 150 + phone bill did not qualify us for the premier status and we would not receive a invitation to buy one of these at a pre party Friday June 5th. I found out yesterday that the pre will becoming to other net works I was thrilled. If you don't have enough that's understandable just tell me you will get me one asap. But sprint would rather snub me and send me to another carrier then tell me that. I don't know who is in charge at sprint I am less incline to stay with them the way they have Handled the launch of the pre. There choice of phones suck!!!!

[quixel1]

Wow you sound like quite the spoiled brat I would have thought you would have qualified for the Premier Program and YOU should have found out a long time ago why you weren't.That being said big whoop if you have to wait an extra day or so. ME ME ME attitude of your really sucks!!!!!! Have you read anything about the choice of phones coming? Guess not!! Besides the Pre a new Touch PRo 2 with a 3.6" screen is coming ot a few days later,androd phones are coming out very soon along with other WebOs and MS and android phones They are really pushing a bunch of new phones into the pipeline so grow up and stop acting like such a Whiney baby want your new toy now or you are going home crying the whole way.

[qst4]

quix is right. I had the same attitude. If I don't get a pre day one I'm out. After I recalculated the cost of my current data plan on other networks, the cost of losing my premier status and not being able to get a new phone every year at a reduced price, I had to admit to myself that it would be pretty dumb to leave sprint because I had to wait an additional month on a new phone. I don't know how long you've been with Sprint, but I thought the premier program was fair, its based on more than just a monthly payment. What specifically did you have problems with?

[Biggnaa20]

In the long run, the fact that other companies can start mentioning that they will get the Pre in 6 months will hurt SPRINT not PALM. There will be people now who want the Pre, but don't want to switch now they have a timeline as to when it will happen. AT&T was much slyer and still has the iPhone locked down. A fact that has had many people switch...regardless of AT&T's perceived lack of coverage.

If the Pre is anywhere near as good as it could be, Palm will be ok.

[make_or_break]

Yet in AT&T's case, if the coverage and data issues persist it won't do them or Apple a bit of good if people start opting out of their 2-yr commitments EARLY. I have friends who were all agog about their shiny iPhones but now strew all sorts of vehement expletives when it gets to the AT&T side of that two-part equation. I warned them...and I'm certainly feeling glad that I actually was resilient enough to have resisted the iPhone temptation (though despite my past history with AT&T, I admit that I was indeed sorely tempted for a time).

[darkpoet25]

I seriously doubt that Sprint would let other carriers offer the Pre after only 6 months. I think in the meantime, AT&T and Verizon will most likely get the EOS, then the Pre. I know a lot of people on here don't like AT&T much, but my experience with them hasn't been bad at all. I haven't had a dropped call or lack of 3G service here in Indianapolis. But unlike Apple, I do have the iPhone 3g, let the chants of fanboy begin even though it's the only Apple product I own, Palm is trying to get other carriers to sell the Pre. Which in the long run helps them get more market penetration. I hope that they do this, so maybe AT&T will get more competitive with their plan pricing. I like my iPhone, but if it's true that the Pre can sync to iTunes and AT&T gets it, then I will seriously consider getting it.

[myDrpC]

Hi Bonnie. Thanks for all your editorials, we think they are great!
Btw, not sure if anyone else feels this way - but I'm a bit confused why so many others are writing about the Palm PRE on CNET.

To be honest, we look forward to your full review & blogs on the Palm PRE; however I can say - it's confusing to pop in from time to time and see so many other folks writing about a smartphone that we expect to only hear from you.

Oh well, keep up the awesome work. June is going to be a very busy month and very exciting including your review on the HTC Touch PRO 2.

Thanks for all you do for us!

[H-Cubed]

Not sure if the Sprint spokes person knew it or not but there are only 6 months left in the year i.e. through 2009. All he did was say yup VZW is right. Not that I really care because I am on Sprint and plan on getting a Pre on June 6th, but he just either wanted to confirm that they have the Pre through '09/ VZW will be getting the Pre in six months or so or he just made himself look really dumb. I personally think its both.

[quixel1]

HE said they defnitely have it for the next 6 months but didnt say anything about verizon or others maybe having to wait 6 months before they can even start working with Palm to make their own model I think they won't have a new model out until a good 9 months at least on another network here.

[anilsudh]

What he really meant was consider yourself lucky if you can get one in 6 months.

[joeshmoefromoregon]

again I said if they told me hey we don't have enough phones at launch and we will get you one asap. I would be okay with it but there attitude is we only have this phone exclusive for 6 months so lets hype the crap out of it and then hold back stock and only let a small group of people go to parties where they can buy these phones. Well if your going to do that I think people will walk away me being one of them. I don't feel selfish just snubbed .

[tbolto02]

I would not worry about not getting a phone right away. Heck my friend who is a Sprint employee probably won't even get one of them til next year if they sell as good as everyone says they are. They want to sell to customers like you and myself first obviously. I've had Spint for 11 years and have had no issues with their customer service recently. Good luck with getting your Pre phone.

[MickBurke]

What I don't get is the Verizon guy said 'we'll have the pre in 6 months' and the spring guys said 'No you wont! We have it exclusive through 2009' and the veriozn guy I guess said, 'my bad... 7'

[sgrmba]

The more precise words of the Verizon rep was they would offer a device 'like' the Palm Pre in the next 6 months. They didn't say it would BE the Palm Pre. Interesting how so many suitors are lining up to say they would like/plan to offer the Pre. I wonder if any of them were approached by Palm and took a pass?

[neck37]

I don't get it. Whats the draw to the Pre? Who uses the Palm OS anymore? And if you do why? I had a chance to look the Pre recently and I wasn't impressed. HTC phones on the Sprint network are unbeatable.

[trippendicular57]

Pre doesn't use Palm OS. It uses the new WebOS.

[gtskyrider]

Sprint rocks!!!! They have better customer service now and when you need service and it's spotty...they sent me a mini tower for free....now I have service at home when it was spotty before...THANKS SPRINT!

[crispr]

TRUE!!! same thing happened to me, I just moved and service where i live now it is just not good so I called, they treated me really nice and sent me the "mini tower" (AIRRAVE) at no cost & PROBLEM SOLVED!
I really still wonder why people is so negative about sprint...

[kasper09]

I doubt you had a chance to look at it as that phone is in lock down till June 6th. I agree with you gtskyrider that Sprints customer service has improved immensely. calls are answered quickly and problems are resolved professionally. compared to a year ago Sprint has almost done a complete 360. The Palm Pre will just be another huge step for Sprint to get back in the race. ------Sprint is on the move and has all their pieces in the right place.

[Marie290]

Personally I cannot stand Sprint. I sell T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint. Sprint does not take care of their customers or their dealers. They are running down hill. I wouldn't be surprised if they get bought out in the next year. The only reason they have coverage in places AT&T does not is because they do not own any of thier towers, but they rent from other carriers. So guess what Sprint customers..... When those contracts are up, if that carrier chooses not to let Sprint continue using their towers, There goes your coverage! I would much rather pay a little more a month to have coverage that is permant and much better customer service.

[surfboy90291]

Sprint's customer service is the WORST in the industry and their coverage isn't much better. Of course, AT&T and Verizon will offer the Pre after only a few months of Sprint exclusivity. Palm would be foolish to tie the Pre to a carrier whose customers count down the days until the end of their contracts.

[brynn08]

@marie290 sprint doesnt rent there own towers....get your facts str8 buddy......if there coverage is so bad why is JD power and associates ranking them #2 natinwide behind VZW.....and tied #1 in the west region......ppl that have been on sprint for years would notice there customer srvc has improved over the year.....u sell phones....so stick to that....instead of thinking you know everything....i been with sprint since 2001...and they treat me bettr than VZW ever did.....but im not knocking verizon there srvc is solid....but too expensive...every carrier has there flaw and no ones perfect....so quite talking trash about sprint...when att and verizon are no bettr in customer srvc at all.....and i also have att...so i can attest to that......and as


surfboy90291 verizon wont be selling the pre....as Sprint CEO stated......no one knows what kind of exclusive deal sprint has......thats just verizons poor attempt to keep there customers from switching.....funny cuz verizon mentioned that days before the pre launch.......you must be a verizon customer hypnotized by 'the network'......gain some knowlegde sir!