Sprint: Pre exclusive longer than 6 months; The squabble over 'or so'

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse has thrown a brushback pitch to Verizon Wireless: Lay off the Pre talk because Sprint's exclusive with Palm lasts more than six months. 

CNet News' Maggie Reardon reports:

"They need to check their facts," Hesse said in an interview at a press event here to launch the Palm Pre. "That just is not the case. Both Palm and Sprint have agreed not to discuss the length of the exclusivity deal. But I can tell you it's not six months."

Here's where things get sticky though. Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam said last week that the carrier wanted to add the Pre, along with other neat handsets, to its lineup. Here's what he said exactly (emphasis mine):

“We’re excited about our device pipeline. We’ll offer a steady stream of devices from multiple vendors. Over the next six months or so you’ll see devices like the Palm Pre and a cousin. You’ll see a second generation Storm. You’ll see the Tour as well. You’ll see Motorola back in our portfolio. And yes You’ll see Android devices as well. We’ve had some very good dialogue with Google and will be bringing Android devices in the near future.”

Key words: Or so. What's the definition of "or so?" That could be 8 months. Maybe 9 months. Hesse's response was to chatter that Verizon Wireless could have the Pre within 6 months. 

Also see: Gauging the Palm Pre's success: It'll take time

So what's clarified? Not a whole lot. Verizon Wireless says it will get the Pre in six months or so. Sprint says there's no way Verizon Wireless can have the Pre in six months because it has an exclusive---an unquantified one. The Sprint-Palm agreement could be 7 months and give Hesse plenty of room to shoot down Verizon Wireless talk.

Add it up and both CEOs are probably right. Betcha Sprint doesn't have an exclusive for a full year?

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