Bear Stearns: Sprint To Sell Palm Treo 700w Sooner Than Expected (PALM)

Bear Stearns analysts Andrew Neff, Bill Hand and Ted Chung sent a note to clients regarding Palm's launch with Sprint of the much-anticipated Treo 700w. Key excerpt:

Sprint to offer PALM Treo 700w ahead of schedule, as early as end of February. Based on our channel checks, it appears that Sprint is likely to offer the latest PALM Treo 700w (Windows version) as early as end of February, which would be ahead of schedule (following its launch with Verizon on 1/5) -- Sprint version of Treo 700 was not expected until end of March at the earliest based on the historical length of the exclusivity agreements with carriers (i.e., 3-6 months). Sprint is likely to price Treo 700w at $449, at parity with Verizon and a $50 premium to Treo 650. Sprint will offer both models. Stock impact: positive for PALM.

PALM 1-yr chart:

● Related: Palm Treo 700w Launches: Sell-side and Reviewer Responses (PALM, VZ, RIMM)