O2: No iPhone contract

British operator O2 is denying reports it signed a deal to distribute Apple's iPhone in the U.K. market. Various news outlets reported the Telefónica-owned carrier reached an agreement similar to the exclusive pact Apple inked with its U.S. partner AT&T, but an O2 spokesperson denied the claims, telling MarketWatch, "We haven't signed a deal." 

According to reports, Apple met with four European operators to secure distribution prior to the device's planned launch in the U.K., France and Germany this autumn. O2 rival Vodafone long has been considered the favorite to secure the U.K. contract, with T-Mobile tipped to claim the German contract and Orange touted as the French front runner.  

For more on the O2/iPhone rumors:
- read this MarketWatch article

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