News

Virgin Mobile USA and KYOCERA Wireless Introduce the KYOCERA K9 with Downloadable Real-Music Ringtones

New offering expands KYOCERA Wireless' relationship with Virgin Mobile to provide fashionable, low-cost phones with superphonic ringtones that sound like real songs

SAN DIEGO & WARREN, N.J. -- Aug. 23, 2004 -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless handsets and telemetry modules, and wireless upstart Virgin Mobile USA, LLC today debuted a new handset called the Kyocera K9, further expanding Virgin Mobile's lineup of affordable, feature-packed mobile phones. The K9 incorporates many features such as Superphonic (or real-music) ringtones, Comedy Central content, the Rescue Ring, and exclusive content from *MTV -- not to mention a built-in flashlight.

"We're very excited about the K9. This good-looking handset really takes home 'Best in Show' award for those who are in the market for an affordable wireless phone," said Howard Handler, chief marketing officer for Virgin Mobile USA. "Our customers can access Virgin Mobile's fun features and killer content at an attractive price."

The K9 is based on Kyocera's K400 series of phones, its best-selling line of wireless handsets. Featuring real-music ringtones, users can download and assign ringtones directly from Virgin Mobile handsets or online at www.virginmobileusa.com and MTV.com that are rich and deep, sounding more like the actual music than today's polyphonic ringers. Additionally, the K9 includes features such as voice-activated dialing, calendars, alarm clock and a built-in contact directory as well as gaming capabilities and predictive text-input for rapid text entry.

"Virgin Mobile's strong appeal with its Pay As You Go services and Kyocera's delivery of cool, relevant and affordable phones continues to hit a sweet spot for the youth market," said Don McGuire, vice president of Global Marketing and North American Sales at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "We've partnered with Virgin Mobile since its service launch and are committed to continue supporting its growth as it expands product and service offerings to its customers. The new K9, with additional features like downloadable real-music ringtones, will stand out as a welcome addition to Virgin Mobile's powerful line-up."

The K9 will be sold through Virgin Mobile retailer partners including Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Media Play, Rite-Aid, Safeway, Sam Goody, Sprint stores, Target Stores, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. It will also be available online at www.virginmobileusa.com and www.shop.mtv.com.

In addition to the Kyocera K9, Virgin Mobile also sells the Kyocera K7 Rave and Kyocera Slider V5 *MTV Edition handsets. Virgin Mobile was the first carrier to offer the Slider in North America.

About Virgin Mobile

Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC has set the pace as the fastest growing wireless carrier in the U.S. while redefining the entire prepaid category. The nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile has attracted two million wireless users to its Pay As You Go service with no contracts and no hidden fees. All Virgin Mobile customers have access to VirginXtras - a host of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including exclusive content from strategic partner MTV: Music Television. Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States.

Virgin Mobile prepaid phones and Top-Up cards are available direct on the Web at www.virginmobileusa.com; at 888-322-1122; or, at more than 12,000 locations, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Media Play, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Target Stores, Trans World Entertainment, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. Top-Up cards are also available at more than 45,000 locations, including Circle K, CVS and 7-Eleven stores.

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, 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, 2004, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$11 billion (JP 1,140,814 Yen million) with net income of approximately US$655 million (JP 68,086 Yen million).

2004 Kyocera Wireless Corp. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corp. Slider is a trademark of Kyocera Wireless Corp. All other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Kyocera Wireless Corp. John Chier, 858-882-3543 jchier@kyocera-wireless.com; or Virgin Mobile USA Sarah Koenig, 908-607-4160 skoenig@virginmobileusa.com