News

KYOCERA Wireless Announces Tri-Mode SliderTM SE44, Enhanced with Analog Functionality

KYOCERA's Slider reaches out to more Latin American customers than ever before

SAU PAULO -- (March 2, 2004) -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones, today announced the Kyocera Slider SE44, a tri-mode version of Kyocera's widely-hailed Slider Series phone, adding analog functionality to Slider's existing dual-mode digital configuration. Designed specifically for global CDMA markets such as Latin America that still rely on strong analog network coverage, the unique slide-to-open SE44 marks a significant step towards style and sensibility for customers who want to combine functionality with fun and fashion. Latin American customers will be the first in the world to buy and use the SE44, which begins shipping to Latin American carriers later this month.

Sleek and stylish, the Kyocera SE44 features a unique design, unlike any other CDMA handset in Latin America, which slides to reveal the phone's keypad for easy dialing and simplified navigation. The phone's sturdy sliding feature makes it as small as a traditional clamshell when closed and as long as a traditional "candy bar" style phone when open. The SE44's sliding faceplate also features a large, 65,000-color display that allows for easy viewing of games and other applications, and the phone is also equipped with many other desirable features such as speakerphone, voice-activated dialing, polyphonic ringtones, predictive text and enhanced two-way messaging.

"The response to Slider in Latin America has been tremendously positive, and we wanted to make sure that phone users in regions still relying on analog networks have the opportunity to experience the distinctive style of Slider as well," said Lee Ittner, vice president of international sales for Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Wireless phones are a part of the culture amongst Latin Americans and the fashion-forward design of the SE44 really speaks to that audience. Thanks to its tri-mode capabilities and our carrier partners who are committed to their analog networks, we are going to get Slider out to more users in Latin America than ever before."

The Kyocera SE44 is silver with silver and blue navigation keys and includes an attractive, convenient holster for securely keeping the Slider at hand. The tri-mode digital cellular handset incorporates assisted-GPS and CDMA2000 1X technology as well as analog functionality, and has TTY and TDD capabilities for the hearing impaired. The phone comes standard with BREW™ 2.0 capabilities, allowing for easy download of games, ringers, contacts and much more (subject to service provider availability). Predictive text-input software provides rapid text entry in Spanish, Portuguese and English and the SE44 sustains up to four hours of talk and up to 100 hours of standby time on a standard lithium ion battery. Productivity tools include a scheduler, calculator, alarm clock and stopwatch. The Kyocera SE44 weighs only 3.39 ounces and measures 8.8 x 4.8 x 2.3 cm closed and 12.2 x 4.8 x 2.3cm open. A full suite of Slider accessories are also available.

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, California, 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).

© 2004 Kyocera Wireless Corp. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Slider is a trademark of Kyocera Wireless Corp. BREW is a trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.


CONTACTS:

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

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