News

Brazil First to Launch KYOCERA K112 Handset Worldwide

With Its Innovative Design, the K112 Targets Consumers and the Enterprise with an Affordable Mobile Phone That's Practical, Multifunctional and Modern

São Paulo -- Nov. 25, 2003 -- Kyocera Wireless Corp. (www.kyocera-wireless.com), a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless handsets, today announced the launch of its K112 mobile phone, first available in Brazil to Vivo customers. The device, which is manufactured in Brazil by Flextronics, has a modern, ergonomic and innovative design, featuring short messaging services (SMS) functionality in addition to voice.

The Kyocera K112 is light and small, with an internal antenna, standard earphone input, LED display with up to five lines of text, vibration mode and 15 different ring tones. The battery reaches total load in only two hours of charging with three hours of talk time and 230 hours of stand-by time running on a digital CDMA network. The handset also features games, a calculator, alarm, chronometer, phone book with capacity of 200 contacts and language options including Portuguese, English and Spanish.

"The agreement with Kyocera Wireless shows our confidence in this technology and in the success of the device, which meets our needs for this segment," said Paulo Cesar Teixeira, vice president, Executive Operations for Vivo. "A wide range of consumers will be able to take advantage of the K112, from young and self-employed professionals to the corporate market, as well as small and medium size companies who need their employees communicating at all times to ensure more productivity and better business."

"The manufacturing and launch of K112 in Brazil reinforces our presence and dedication to the region, and this deployment with Vivo is an excellent opportunity to bring innovative and high-quality devices to the market," said Luiz Fernando Bayer Torres, head of wireless operations for Kyocera in Brazil. "As one of the leading providers of CDMA devices in the world, Kyocera is continuing to provide high-quality, feature-rich wireless devices to all of Latin America." "Kyocera has been working diligently to extend its presence in Latin America and to bring a diverse range of wireless devices to all consumers. As a result, Kyocera has expanded its customer base in Latin America and the Caribbean from 15 carriers in seven countries to 30 customers in 19 countries," said Lee Ittner, vice president of International Sales, Latin America for Kyocera. "The company plans on continuing this momentum in the future by offering even a more comprehensive product offering in Brazil to further compliment today's introduction of the K112 in Brazil."

The new dual-mode Kyocera K112 incorporates CDMA 2000 1x technology, the only 3G service available today in Latin America. CDMA 2000 1x provides significant benefits, such as better response time, increased battery life in stand by mode and sending and receiving messages virtually in real time.

Kyocera K112 Main features:

• Dimensions: height: 11.1 cm, width: 5.0 cm and depth: 2.6 cm
• Weight: 90g
• Standard ear phone input
• Internal antenna
• Vibrate mode and 15 different ring tones
• Lithium Ion battery, with 3-hour talk time or 230 hours in stand by mode
• Easy and quick navigation key with four positions
• LED display with contrast adjustment and capacity for 5 lines of text
• Menu in Portuguese, English and Spanish
• Games, calculator, alarm and chronometer
• Agenda with capacity for 200 contacts, storing up to 6 telephone numbers per contact
• Dual-Mode: 800 MHz (CDMA 2000 1x and CDMA IS-95) digital and analog networks

Optional accessories:

• Car adapter, with 2-hour charge time that can be used with the telephone in conversation mode
• Compact, portable charger with 2-hour charging time

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. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA handsets and accessories for customers worldwide. 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, 2003, Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net sales totaled approximately US$9 billion (JP¥ 1,069,770 million) with net income of approximately US$348 million (JP¥ 41,165 million).


Copyright 2003 by Kyocera Wireless Corp. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corp. All other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACTS:

Valerie Christopherson or Kirsten Brundahl
Bock Communications, Inc.
Kyocera Media Relations, Latin America
phone: +1 (714) 540-1030 ext. 14 or 24
e-mail: vchristopherson@bockpr.com
e-mail: kbrundahl@bockpr.com

Natasha Marvin
Kyocera Wireless Corp.
phone: 1-(305) 468-8366
e-mail: nmarvin@kyocera-wireless.com