Mobile Entertainment today reports that O2 UK will lose its exclusive iPhone deal with Apple on 9 October, citing “documentation” seen by the publication. However, the report also claims the operator may retain sole rights to the recently launched iPhone 3G S (pictured), leaving rivals Orange UK and T-Mobile UK to fight over access to the earlier 3G model. Both those networks already sell the iPhone in other European countries. A spokesperson for O2 would not be drawn on the 9 October date, telling Mobile Entertainment that “O2 has a multi-year exclusive on iPhone, and… this remains in place.” Earlier this week, The Register reported that T-Mobile UK has already begun shipping iPhones discreetly to big-spending customers.

O2’s UK unit reported revenues for the first half of 2009 of EUR3.2 billion, a 5.5 percent increase year-on-year. Mobile service revenues came in at EUR2.9 billion, a 5 percent year-on-year growth. Total operating income before depreciation and amortisation (OIBDA) totalled EUR798 million, a 4.5 percent year-on-year growth. Its mobile customer base at the end of June 2009 reached 20.7 million lines, representing a 6.6 percent year-on-year growth and cementing its position as the country’s largest mobile operator. Later this year the operator will exclusively launch Palm’s high-profile Pre smartphone in the UK.