Vodafone has confirmed it will be offering iPad mobile broadband deals from May, as Apple gears up to repeat its US success in the UK.

The broadband provider, which has been favourite for some time to secure rights to the device, revealed the launch date in an official statement.

No mention was made as to whether the agreement with Apple grants Vodafone exclusive rights to the iPad, suggesting that rival carriers O2 and Orange will also be revealing plans to offer iPad packages imminently.

Vodafone has yet to confirm price points, but is expected to employ a sales model similar to mobile broadband laptop deals for its iPad offers.

Vodafone stated: "Vodafone today announced that it will offer dedicated iPad price plans for all models from the end of May in Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

“The iPad lets users browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface.

Apple’s tablet had previously been expected to land in the UK around April 24th, but the Cupertino-based tech giant has since disclosed that problems fulfilling demand in the US had forced a delay until the end of May.

Some 450,000 iPads have been sold since it launched a matter of days ago, while apps sales for the media optimised gadget now total over 3.5 million.

Currently, iPad owners can choose from 3,500 apps developed specifically for it as well as hundreds of thousands created for the iPhone and iPod Touch.