News

KYOCERA WIRELESS CORP. NAMES HOWARD "SKIP" SPEAKS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

SAN DIEGO - September 5, 2001 - Kyocera Wireless Corp. today named Howard W. "Skip" Speaks, Jr. as its president and chief operating officer. Speaks brings more than 30 years of business and engineering experience, including nearly 20 years in the telecommunications industry. He takes over as president from Masahiro Inoue, who remains Kyocera Wireless Corp.'s chief executive officer.

Prior to joining Kyocera, Speaks served as CEO of Triton Network Systems, a broadband fixed wireless equipment manufacturer. Speaks is a former executive vice president and general manager of Ericsson's North American wireless division and network operators group. Speaks was responsible for sales and deployment for all of Ericsson's wireless communications equipment to wireless carriers throughout the United States.

"Skip brings a proven track record of working with a number of the wireless industry's largest carriers, which will further our goal of being the preferred handset provider to our carrier partners," said Masahiro Inoue, CEO of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "His leadership skills, management expertise and ability to foster growth will ensure Kyocera's continued advancement and success as one of the world's leading wireless companies."

"In the 18 months since it was formed, Kyocera Wireless Corp. has developed excellent products, leading-edge technologies, and a clear vision for its future," said Speaks. "The Kyocera QCP™ 6035 smartphone clearly established Kyocera Wireless as a contender in the race for product innovation and superiority. I'm honored that a respected company like Kyocera has chosen me to lead its growth."

Speaks serves on the board of directors for the Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA) and Glenayre Technologies Inc. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the West Virginia Institute of Technology. He came to Kyocera Wireless Corp. through the Dallas office of Spencer Stuart and Associates, a leading executive search firm.

About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. (KII), the North American headquarters and holding company of Kyocera Corporation. KII established Kyocera Wireless Corp. after acquiring QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Kyocera Wireless Corp. incorporates QUALCOMM's CDMA technology in the development and manufacture of wireless phones and accessories for customers worldwide. For more information on Kyocera Wireless Corp., please visit http://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, 2001, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled 1.285 trillion yen (US$10.2 billion) with net income of 219.5 billion yen (US$1.742 billion). Kyocera Corporation has been recognized by IndustryWeek magazine as one of "The World's 100 Best-Managed Companies."


Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. QCP is a trademark of Kyocera Wireless Corp. QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners



CONTACTS:
Dana Knight, Kyocera Wireless Corp.
1-(858) 882-2338 (ph)
dknight@kyocera-wireless.com

John Chier, Fleishman Hillard
1-(619) 235-9995 (ph)
chierj@fleishman.com