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News » 2001 » SPRINT PCS PHONE QCP 6035 BY KYOCERA AND MOBILE CONNECTIVITY KITS FOR PALM HANDHELDS ARE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PALM POWERED SOLUTIONS OFFERED BY SPRINT PCS

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SPRINT PCS PHONE QCP 6035 BY KYOCERA AND MOBILE CONNECTIVITY KITS FOR PALM HANDHELDS ARE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PALM POWERED SOLUTIONS OFFERED BY SPRINT PCS

Smartphone and Connection Kits for Palm III and Palm V Series Handhelds Create Suite of Wireless Devices and Services to Increase Professional and Personal Productivity of Sprint PCS Customers

Kansas City, MO - April 18, 2001 - Sprint PCS (NYSE: PCS) today announced it will carry the Sprint PCS Phone QCP™ 6035 by Kyocera as part of its strategic alliance with Palm announced in January 2001. This latest phone from Kyocera combines the functionality of a Palm™ handheld and features of a Sprint PCS Phone to access content from the Sprint PCS Wireless Web via a co-branded MyPalm™ portal, which includes access to Palm wireless PIM services, personal and corporate e-mail(1), and e-commerce purchase options, as well as corporate directories and sales tools via the Sprint PCS nationwide network. The CDMA smartphone is expected to be available in Sprint Stores and through Sprint PCS business channels nationwide by mid-April. Palm connectivity and adapter kits will follow in these channels in late April.

"The Sprint PCS Phone QCP 6035 by Kyocera combines an Internet-ready, feature-rich phone with the functionality of Palm OS® applications to allow real-time access to information, increasing the opportunity for enhanced professional and personal productivity," said Charles Levine, president of Sprint PCS.

The Sprint PCS Phone QCP 6035 by Kyocera operates on the Palm OS platform, making it compatible with all new and existing Palm OS applications, as well as applications designed to take advantage of the phone's wireless capabilities. The phone's co-branded version of the MyPalm™ portal includes Palm wireless PIM services, e-mail access, e-commerce purchasing options, as well as access to personally relevant information on local and national events, such as movie listings and sporting event schedules. Customers will also have access to Internet content via the Sprint PCS Wireless Web or HTML browsers. Additionally, the phones will allow enterprise customers to access critical information, such as their corporate e-mail, sales tool applications and corporate directories.

The Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phone QCP 6035 by Kyocera features a large, easy-to-read graphic display with touch-screen capabilities and stylus-based navigation. The phone has an on screen virtual keypad plus a traditional keypad, and two input methods: the basic Graffiti power writing software and on-screen keyboard. Other features include an integrated touch screen and stylus, 15 ringer types, infrared beaming to other IR-enabled devices, speakerphone, voice activated dialing and voice memo, capacity to store thousands of names, addresses, appointments, to-do lists and memo items, Eudora Web browser (text HTML) and a battery that provides five hours of talk time or 180 hours of standby time in digital mode.

"The Kyocera QCP 6035 unites the Palm OS with Sprint PCS Wireless Web capabilities to create an integrated communication tool for both consumers and enterprise users," said Masahiro Inoue, president and CEO of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Consumers can tailor this smartphone to access their personally relevant information through the MyPalm portal or Palm's web clipping applications, while business users can configure the phone with new and existing enterprise applications written for the Palm OS platform."

"With the growing surge in wireless data in both the consumer and enterprise markets, we are also pleased to introduce wireless connectivity kits and adapters for Palm handhelds," said Levine. "These powerful new products and services are part of a suite of Palm solutions to be introduced following our announcement with Palm earlier this year. Sprint PCS continues to build a diverse portfolio of connectivity services and solutions to provide mobile professionals with value-added options to access mission critical data normally found on their desktops. And with an extensive all-digital CDMA nationwide data footprint operating on a single technology, our customers can effectively communicate, perform transactions and access the services and information they need when it's most convenient for them anywhere on the Sprint PCS nationwide network."

Palm handheld users will have two new options to wirelessly connect to the Internet, Intranet or their corporate networks. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Connection Kit for Palm Handhelds will enable Palm III and Palm V series handheld customers to gain wireless access using a dedicated cable connected to a Sprint PCS Phone. Kits are available for select Motorola, Samsung and Sanyo model phones, and come with a user's manual and CD containing software to upgrade to Palm OS 3.5 and the MyPalm portal, which provides access to content from the Sprint PCS Wireless Web, Palm OS web clipping applications and Palm OS content providers.

The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Adapter Kit for Palm Handhelds contains a universal adapter that works with most Sprint PCS Internet-ready Phones for either a Palm III or Palm V series handheld computer. This solution works the same as the Connection Kit for Palm Handhelds, except the adapter is designed for a standard Wireless Web Connection cable. This solution is ideal for customers who are already using Wireless Web Connection for data sessions on their laptops and also want to wirelessly connect their Palm handheld. A user's manual and CD are included.

"Wireless connectivity and providing customers with effective Internet and other mission-critical information while on the go are priorities for Palm," said Carl Yankowski, chief executive officer of Palm, Inc. "Our alliance with Sprint PCS allows us to broaden the options available for Palm customers to wirelessly access valuable information, communicate with co-workers, clients and family, and perform transactions on their Palm handhelds. Fostering a synergy and shared momentum between the growing Palm OS development community and the Sprint PCS Application Developer's Program will deliver more solutions to further enhance the experience of our customers."

The QCP 6035 by Kyocera integrates a Palm OS®-based organizer with a CDMA phone and is the first device sold by Sprint PCS that supports multiple browsing options, including HTML. It is packaged with a built-in version of Eudora for email and Palm OS v.3.5 software which supports Palm's web clipping applications, making it easy to track stocks online, find movie times and locations, and view up-to-date flight information. The dual band / tri-mode Sprint PCS Phone QCP 6035 is packaged with a standard lithium-ion battery and an AC adapter charger, sync cradle and software, providing customers with a very compact and feature-rich device at 7.34 ounces.

The new smartphone will retail for $499.99 for consumers. It will also be available to employees of companies that participate in the Nationwide Volume Program (NVP) at a discounted price of $399.99 through Sprint PCS business channels. Under this program, businesses that sign an NVP agreement and have a minimum of five corporate-sponsored lines are eligible to receive volume-based discounts for their corporate users.

Both Palm connectivity kits will be available through Sprint Stores, business and online channels, as well as The Palm Store (http://store.palm.com). Connection Kits will be available for $49.99 and Adapter Kits for $19.99.

About Sprint PCS
Sprint is a world-class global communications company - at the forefront of integrating wireline and wireless communications services. Sprint is a large carrier of Internet traffic and a leader in broadband communications. Sprint built and operates the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and provides a portfolio of advanced data communications services. Sprint operates the largest 100-percent digital, 100-percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint has $23 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 23 million business and residential customers. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at http://www.sprintpcs.com.

About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. which acquired 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 please visit the Kyocera Wireless Corp. website at http://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 solar energy systems, telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers and copiers. During the year ended March 31, 2000, the companies' net sales totaled 812 billion yen (US$7.9 billion) with net income of 50 billion yen (US$489 million). Kyocera Corporation has been recognized by IndustryWeek magazine as one of "The World's 100 Best-Managed Companies."

(1) NOTE: Depending upon your corporate e-mail setup, additional software may be required; and such software may be developed and sold by third-party publishers.

NOTE: Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm, Palm Powered and MyPalm are trademarks of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. QCP is a trademark of Kyocera Wireless Corp. Eudora is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM, Incorporated.


CONTACTS:
Rick Goetter, KWC Public Relations
1-(858) 882-2722 (ph) 1-(858) 882-3650 (fax)
e-mail: rgoetter@kyocera-wireless.com

Nancy Sherrer
Consumer Media Relations
Sprint PCS
1-(913) 762-7032 (W)

Suzanne Lammers
Business Media Relations
Sprint PCS Kyocera
913-762-7039 (W) 913-484-9754 (PCS)

John Chier
Media Relations
Fleishman Hillard for 619-235-9995 (W)