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News » 2008 » TNT!! - It's Dyn-O-mite! Kyocera's Newest Handset to Join Virgin Mobile USA's No-Contract Lineup Perfect for Talkers 'n Texters Alike

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TNT!! - It's Dyn-O-mite! Kyocera's Newest Handset to Join Virgin Mobile USA's No-Contract Lineup Perfect for Talkers 'n Texters Alike

Affordable New Flip Phone Joins Stable of 2008 Handset All-Stars

WARREN, N.J. & San Diego, (Aug. 14, 2008) - These days it's hard to get anything -- from a pizza pie to petroleum at the pump -- for just 20 bucks. Virgin Mobile USA is about to change all that with the introduction of its newest handset, the TNT! by Kyocera Wireless. A stylish Talk N' Text (get it?) phone in a flip form factor, the TNT! is perfect for consumers who like the simple things in phones. The TNT! is now available at major retailers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and Radio Shack, and will be available at www.virginmobileusa.com beginning August 20.

The TNT! has a soft-to-the-touch feel but also conveys style and a sense of durability, a perfect on-the-go accessory, all at the powerful price point of $20.

According to Matias Monges, Virgin Mobile USA's director of mobile devices, the TNT! is designed for consumers who need a reliable and attractive phone, without blowing up their wallets. "At Virgin Mobile USA we are committed to giving our customers value, service and choice they can't find anywhere else. The TNT! is a perfect embodiment of that philosophy, and shows that we can deliver it all - from robust gear like the Wild Card from Kyocera to less expensive devices that still excel at getting the job done with style."

This affordable mobile phone brings yet another cost-effective and attractive product to Virgin Mobile USA's lineup, again offering customers a desirable handset that comes with flexible monthly plans and no annual contract. Virgin Mobile USA customers have access to a variety of calling and messaging plans without annual contracts, including the recently introduced Totally Unlimited voice plan that provides unlimited calling for $79.99 without roaming charges, activation fees or a two-year commitment.

"When it comes to style, features and performance, people are getting more than their money's worth with the TNT!" said Tom Maguire, divisional vice president of global marketing at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Virgin Mobile USA's commitment to providing its customers incredible value extends beyond just its service plans and into its handset lineup as well. The TNT! is the latest in a long line of Kyocera phones at Virgin Mobile that deliver on this promise."

Here are a few features of the TNT! handset:

-- Sleek and small, this flip phone measures 3.5" x 1.8" x 0.6" - all at less than 3 ounces and about the size of half a candy bar, the phone fits perfectly in the palm of the hand.

-- Designed by Kyocera Wireless and includes an external display with illuminating external caller ID

-- Comes preloaded with an array of playful games, along with downloadable animated and Real Music ringtones.

-- Sports the powerful Virgin Mobile USA user interface and Virgin XL, which means it works as great as it looks.

-- Up to 200 minutes of talk time and 5 days of standby time on a single charge, plus room for 250 contacts ensures you'll be as connected as you can possibly need to be.

About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich wireless devices and accessories for customers worldwide. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Based in San Diego, Kyocera Wireless leverages Japan's history of creating advanced consumer technologies around humanism and respect for the environment and blending them with a Western entrepreneurialism and style, resulting in a unique design language and a natural, user-friendly interface. 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, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems, semiconductor packages, electronic components, and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2008, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$12.9 billion (JP¥1,290,436 million) with net income of approximately US$1.0 billion (JP¥107,244 million).

About Virgin Mobile USA, Inc.
Virgin Mobile USA [NYSE: VM], through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers millions of customers control, flexibility and choice through monthly Plans Without Annual Contracts, with national coverage powered by the Sprint PCS network. Virgin Mobile USA's full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets, including the Wild Card, Slash and Flare, are available at approximately 40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at www.virginmobileusa.com, with Top-Up cards available at more than 140,000 locations. Virgin Mobile USA, known for its award-winning customer service, was recently rated the best prepaid wireless service for the second year in a row in the Annual PC Magazine Readers' Choice Survey, with 90% of its own customers reporting satisfaction with its service.

Virgin Mobile USA allows customers to earn free minutes in exchange for viewing advertising content online through the innovative Sugar Mama program and contributes a portion of profits from downloadable content to The RE*Generation, its pro-social initiative.

 

© 2008 Kyocera Wireless Corp. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. VIRGIN and the Virgin Signature logo are registered trademarks of Virgin Enterprise Limited and are used under license. All other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

 

For more information, contact:

Virgin Mobile USA
Corinne Nosal
phone: 908.607.4234
e-mail: Corrine.nosal@virginmobileusa.com
Ruder Finn for Virgin Mobile USA
Andy Pray
Telf.: 415.348.2732
e-mail: praya@ruderfinn.com
Kyocera Wireless Corp.
John Chier
phone: 858.882.3543
e-mail: jchier@kyocera-wireless.com
LPI Communications for Kyocera
Melody Parrette
phone: 858.361.9731
e-mail: melody@lpicommunications.com