Palm Pre due at Dutch Hi

Ahead of a scheduled UK launch event next week, Dutch wireless provider Hi has posted a product page on its website advertising the Palm Pre smartphone. Hi is a sub-brand of KPN, which has ties to Telefonica. As Telefonica runs UK carrier O2, which was reported to be the exclusive carrier of the Pre, the posting implies that Telefonica may have landed a multi-country deal. The product page reveals Hi will sell the Pre only subsidized with a contract.

The European version of the Pre is expected to use GSM networks instead of the CDMA support it has in the US as well as HSPA instead of EVDO for 3G data access. A spokesperson for KPN defended the product page, stating that the carrier is in the habit of putting up all hardware even if it's not yet available to educate its potential customers on its features and functionality. He also did not deny that the handset is coming to Hi, saying that Palm is interested in having the carrier sell its Pre in the Netherlands.

The product page did not reveal pricing for the handset, however. [via Tweakers]

By Electronista Staff