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KYOCERA Wireless Unveils New Phone Designs, Compelling Features at CTIA Wireless 2007

Orlando, FL -- (March 27, 2007) -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, today announced five new-look handsets and a new PC card from its 2007 product lineup at the CTIA Wireless 2007 trade show. Focused on creating a distinct design language for CDMA phones, Kyocera's new handsets offer sophisticated looks that complement some of the industry's most compelling and in-demand mobile entertainment features.

Kyocera Wireless' new line-up includes E5000, an elegant, slim EV-DO handset with a first-of-its kind, iconic "S" hinge design; E2000, a sleek EV-DO music-centric clamshell with expandable memory; E1000, a crisp, affordable clamshell with 1.3 megapixel camera and Bluetooth® wireless technology; M1000, a stylish, ergonomically designed handset with a hidden QWERTY keypad for the power texter; and S1000, an ultra-affordable bar-style phone with a feature set that rises above its price point. Kyocera is also introducing the KPC680 CDMA2000® 1xEV-DO Rev. A PC card, which features next-generation speeds in a compact ExpressCard form factor.

"These unique devices are the result of a company-wide refocusing on how we think about design and consumer usage of feature-rich CDMA handsets," said Tom Maguire, vice president of global marketing and product planning at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "We've always been known for our easy-to-use interface and intuitive functionality, and now our designs have been improved with distinct and iconic styles that will make our phones stand out on retail shelves."

Kyocera's 2007 lineup represents the first handsets designed by the company's revamped product design and planning team, led by Russell Paik and renowned designer Frank Tyneski. A recipient of numerous industry awards for design excellence, including BusinessWeek's Design of the Decade award, Tyneski holds 57 U.S. and foreign patents and his work has been displayed in the Smithsonian and Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museums.

Kyocera E5000
This elegant, slim handset features an iconic, patent-pending sculpted "S" hinge design made of stainless steel that is certain to stand out amongst a crowd. With a superior entertainment experience that includes high-speed 1xEV-DO for music and video on demand* (MOD/VOD) and a 1.3 megapixel camera with video recorder, Kyocera's E5000 is that "must have" device for pop culture junkies and fashionistas alike. Audiophiles will love the dedicated, touch-sensitive external controls for the integrated music player and stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) capability. To ensure space for a large collection of media files, the E5000 includes a microSD™ memory expansion slot for storing up to 2GB of extra music, pictures or movies.

While E5000's technical capabilities impress, the "S" factor and sheer beauty of this handset set it apart. Extensively tested for durability and strength, the innovative "S" hinge strikes the perfect balance between style and usability. Leaving no detail unchecked, the hinge also influences other design elements of the phone including the number pad and rounded edges of the handset.

"When I tell people what I do, I constantly get asked what the next revolutionary design element is going to be for mobile phones," said Tyneski. "With E5000, I truly believe that we have conceived an iconic, revolutionary look that will be immediately recognizable and instantly equated with high fashion and style."

A dual-band digital handset with a 2-inch QCIF+ internal TFT display, Kyocera E5000 will be available from global CDMA carriers in Fall 2007.

Kyocera E2000
A striking high-gloss black exterior and stylish recessed hinge make the Kyocera E2000 every bit as fashionable as it is compelling. A complete entertainment device with a special eye toward digital music, the E2000 is a sleek clamshell with high-speed 1xEV-DO for over-the-air downloads of music and video-on-demand* (MOD/VOD). Perfect for the audiophile, it is packed with music-centric features including stereo Bluetooth (A2DP), external music controls and a microSD memory expansion slot for gigabytes of mobile entertainment. A 1.3 megapixel camera with external controls is paired with dual color displays - including a vivid 2-inch QCIF+ TFT internal display - rounding out the multimedia experience.

The E2000 proves that beauty and functionality can co-exist in a well-designed mid-tier mobile phone. The dual-band digital phone is slated for release with global CDMA carriers in Fall 2007.

Kyocera E1000
Flying in the face of the old adage "you get what you pay for," the Kyocera E1000 is a one-of-a-kind handset that brings high-end, timeless design to an extremely affordable price point. The style doesn't stop with the hardware, however, as the phone incorporates an intuitive new user interface with improved menus and detailed icons. Also belying the E1000's low cost is a feature set - including a 1.3 megapixel camera, a large QCIF+ TFT display and Bluetooth wireless connectivity - once reserved for phones costing much more. Aimed toward the more voice-centric user, the phone uses cost-effective CDMA2000 1xRTT technology, sacrificing nothing when it comes to crystal-clear sound and multimedia messaging.

The dual-band digital Kyocera E1000 will launch with global CDMA carriers in Summer 2007.

Kyocera M1000
An ideal handset for texting and instant messaging fanatics, the Kyocera M1000 features a full QWERTY keypad hidden inside a unique and stylish high-end ergonomic design. Kyocera's design team knows that the details make the difference in a mobile phone designed with the thumb communicator in mind. Details such as the ergonomic layout with comfortable-to-use keys and a centralized navigation key help take precious seconds off covert "leet-speak" texting and instant messaging. The keypad operates silently to ensure discretion for sending the latest gossip or a timely joke, and a textured back ensures better grip and comfort when texting.

In keeping with its young-at-heart design, the M1000 can be used both open and closed and includes a 1.3 megapixel camera with digital zoom and flash, internal and external TFT displays (1.8 inch and 1.5 inch, respectively) and Bluetooth technology.

Kyocera's dual-band M1000 messaging phone will be available this Summer with global CDMA carriers.

Kyocera S1000
Rounding out Kyocera's phone lineup is S1000, a bar-style phone designed to meet the growing demand for extremely low-cost phones in the domestic market. With an internal antenna and a color-filtered display, S1000 provides everything needed for someone who simply wants to make a call and doesn't want to pay anything extra for features they may not use.

A dual-band digital phone, S1000 will enter CDMA markets in Summer 2007.

KPC680 1xEV-DO Rev. A ExpressCard
Expanding on the great success of its award-winning Passport KPC650 1xEV-DO Rel. 0 PC card, Kyocera's new KPC680 upgrades to CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A, the next generation of CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology, to ensure continued optimal performance. EV-DO Rev. A increases the peak data download speed to 3.1 Mbps and peak upload speed to 1.8 Mbps. The new design features dual external antenna ports for signal flexibility while maintaining the industry-leading antenna design that has given Kyocera the fastest CDMA PC cards on the market. The ExpressCard format aligns with current laptop trends - analyst firm IDC predicts that 75 percent of laptops will have ExpressCard slots by 2008 and 95 percent by 2010†. An optional "sled" adaptor enables the KPC680 to be used in a PCMCIA slot as well.

Kyocera's KPC680 EV-DO Rev. A ExpressCard will be available this Summer.

For more information about Kyocera Wireless' 2007 products, including a complete lineup of Genuine Accessories by Kyocera™, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.

† Source: IDC Semiconductors, March 2006
*Services dependent on carrier

About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA wireless devices and accessories for customers worldwide. Kyocera Wireless maintains an operating belief in the genius of simplicity and strives to make the wireless experience as simple and intuitive as humanly possible. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com. 

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2006, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately 10 billion US dollars (1,181,489 million yen) with net income of approximately 596 million US dollars (69,696 million yen).

 

©2007 Kyocera Wireless Corp. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Genuine Accessories by Kyocera is a trademark of Kyocera Wireless Corp. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of TIA. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG Inc. and any use of such marks by Kyocera Wireless Corp. is under license. microSD is a registered trademark of Sandisk Corporation. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

 

For more information, contact:

Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Brad Shewmake
phone: 1-858-882-2028
e-mail: shewmake@kyocera-wireless.com
CTIA Hall A1/A2 - Booth #647
LPI Communications
Ellen Lynch/Melody Parrette
phone: 858-361-9731/415-225-2240
e-mail: ellen@lpicommunications.com