News

Cellular One Becomes First Domestic Wireless Company to Offer KYOCERA Aktiv Handset Designed for Today's Active Lifestyles

Durable, rubberized design with popular built-in flashlight now available to Cellular One customers

SAN DIEGO & BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Sept. 1, 2004 -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones, and Cellular One®, a subsidiary of Western Wireless Corporation (Nasdaq: WWCA - News), a leading provider of wireless communications services to rural America, today announced the domestic launch of the Kyocera Aktiv wireless handset to Cellular One customers. Cellular One is the first wireless company in the United States to offer the durable, rubberized Kyocera Aktiv, designed for today's demanding and active lifestyles. The Aktiv handset will be available at Cellular One and authorized dealer locations beginning September 5.

The sporty Aktiv features a changeable spot-textured silver faceplate along with rubberized side grips and a built-in flashlight for the busy, "go anywhere" lifestyle. In addition to optional faceplates, the handset offers many customizable features to fit the user's personality and attitude, such as changeable color display themes, polyphonic or "stereo sound" ringtones, screen savers, wallpaper designs and cartoon caller alerts. In addition to Kyocera's renowned, easy-to-use menu, Aktiv includes the key features that today's savvy wireless users want most: access to, including Hello2Fun(SM)* (games and ringtones), OpenDoor (SM)* (wireless Internet access and e-mail functionality), Hello2Text(SM)* (text messaging)*, voice-activated dialing, a complete contact directory, and much more.

"The Kyocera Aktiv is ideal for our many 'on the go' Cellular One customers who appreciate a stylish handset that's also durable and sporty," said Jerry Gallegos, vice president of marketing at Western Wireless Corporation, operator of Cellular One. "Aktiv offers great form and function for a wide range of customers -- from soccer moms to mountain climbers to students -- with the most popular features, including wireless Internet access, stereo-quality ringtones, and the handy flashlight."

The tri-mode handset features a backlit navigation key and brilliant blue keypad for easy readability. It incorporates assisted-GPS and CDMA2000® 1X technology and has TTY and TDD capabilities for the hearing impaired. Predictive text-input software provides rapid text entry in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and the Aktiv sustains up to 3.5 hours of talk and up to 180 hours of standby time on a standard lithium ion battery. Productivity tools include a world clock, scheduler, calculator, alarm clock, tip calculator, countdown timer, vibrate alert and stopwatch. The Kyocera Aktiv weighs only 3.52 ounces and measures 4.45" x 1.89" x .91".

"The Kyocera Aktiv is an extension of one of our most popular phone platforms ever, the K400 Series, and is another great example of our ability to customize a product's identity for our customers," said Don McGuire, vice president of global marketing at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "It's our goal to work with our wireless partners like Cellular One to provide handsets that meet the various needs of consumers' personalities and lifestyles. Aktiv works for consumers who want a sportier look and increased durability without sacrificing style and features."

For a limited time, customers that sign up for calling plans $40 or greater with a two-year service agreement can receive a free the Kyocera Aktiv handset (after $25 mail-in rebate). Specific details on the Aktiv handset, accessories, and other wireless services are available at Cellular One retail and authorized dealer locations, as well as online at CellularOne.com or at www.kyocera-wireless.com.

About Western Wireless Corporation and Cellular One

Western Wireless Corporation, owner of the Cellular One® brand, is a leading provider of rural wireless communications services to more than 1.3 million customers in the western United States. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Western Wireless Corporation operates wireless cellular phone systems and company-owned retail stores in 19 western states under the Western Wireless® and Cellular One brand names. Western Wireless Corporation also licenses the Cellular One brand name to wireless service providers in 16 additional states and the Caribbean. Cellular One has been one of America's most recognized wireless brands for more than 20 years. For more information about Western Wireless Corporation, visit WesternWireless.com. Information on Cellular One may be found at CellularOne.com.

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).

*Optional features at an additional charge.

(C) 2004 Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Western Wireless Corporation. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. BREW is a trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Cellular One is a registered service mark of The Cellular One Group. Hello2Fun and OpenDoor are service marks of Western Wireless Corporation. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

 

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Contact:

     Kyocera Wireless Corp.
     John Chier, 858-882-3543
     jchier@kyocera-wireless.com
     or
     LPI Communications for Kyocera Wireless
     Melody Brue, 858-793-1079
     melody@lpicommunications.com
     or
     Cellular One
     Steve Kam, 425-586-8017
     steve.kam@wwireless.com
     or
     Publicis Dialog
     Teresa Fereday, 972-628-7524
     teresa.fereday@publicis-usa.com