According to an article in the Times Online, European mobile phone provider O2 has edged out their rivals to become the exclusive carrier of the coveted iPhone in the UK.

This comes as a bit of a surprise considering that Vodaphone was considered to be one of the most likely candidates for the deal. The Times also reported that retailers such as Carphone Warehouse will be allowed to sell the iPhone in their stores after the exclusivity contract expired with O2.

What is interesting is that neither O2 or Apple has commented on this deal that has supposedly happened. So even though the piece over on the Times was written as fact, no sources were cited, and since Apple and O2 aren't commenting, we're going to have to toss this one in the “rumor” pile.

O2 beats rivals in battle for the rights to Apple’s iPhone [via timesonline]