Apple may be refusing to negotiate with all players in the Italian cellphone market, one telecom executive suggests. Vincenzo Novari, the CEO of phone carrier 3 Italia, says that while his company is "super-interested about the iPhone," he has not heard any response in regard to inquiries at Apple, whether positive or negative. Novari in fact claims to have sent two e-mail messages directly to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, without receiving any sort of acknowledgement.

Access to the iPhone may be extremely important for 3, as its two chief rivals -- Vodafone and Telecom Italia -- have confirmed deals of their own to sell the iPhone, which may cement their edge in the Italian market. There is no word, though, on the fate of Wind, Italy's remaining major carrier. The company has in excess of 15 million subscribers, a base Apple may want or need to exploit in the future.