News
Kyocera Wireless Corp. Provides Tata Teleservices With India's First Push-to-Talk Wireless Phones
Kyocera's KX440 is the world's first available BREWChat handset and the first commercial push-to-talk handset outside of the Americas
San Diego and Bangalore - (May 27, 2004) -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., a global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones, today announced that Tata Teleservices, India's leading telecom service provider, will launch India's first push-to-talk (PTT) service using Kyocera phones and Qualcomm's BREWChaT(TM) software platform. Tata Teleservices is launching its Tata Indicom Push-To-Talk(TM) service exclusively with the Kyocera KX440, the world's first commercially available phone supporting the BREWChat software client.
"Kyocera Wireless was the world's first handset manufacturer to support BREW(TM) technology, and with Tata Indicom's debut of BREWChat based PTT solution and the KX440, we're very proud to once again pioneer new CDMA technology," said Tsuyoshi Mano, president of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "We congratulate Tata on its groundbreaking introduction of push-to-talk services in India and look forward to successful launches of the KX440 and other BREW-enabled Kyocera handsets."
The Kyocera KX440 - the first CDMA push-to-talk handset available outside of the Americas -- offers easy-to-use walkie-talkie capabilities over the BREWChat technology platform. BREWChat is the first commercially available version of QUALCOMM's push-to-chat solution specifically designed for CDMA2000® 1X Release 0 networks. BREWChat enables Tata Teleservices to leverage its CDMA and BREW investments without having to further upgrade its network, offering exceptional call set-up performance for users and bandwidth savings to Tata Teleservices.
"Tata Teleservices is pleased to be the first mobile operator in India to offer push-to-talk services. We are the first in the world to use BREWChat technology on Kyocera's KX440 handset," said Amit Bose, President - Telecom, Tata Teleservices. "Kyocera's history of being first to market with emerging technologies such as BREW and now BREWChat, makes them a great partner for us as we introduce exciting new technologies to Indian consumers."
India is one of the world's fastest growing wireless telecommunication markets. According to industry estimates, the country's wireless subscriber base is expected to triple by 2008 to more than 140 million.
"Kyocera Wireless has taken a market leadership position with the introduction of a new entry-level tier in push-to-talk. This category is well suited to the price-sensitivities of emerging wireless markets like India," said John Jackson, senior analyst at The Yankee Group. "By providing the first push-to-talk and BREW handsets to Tata, Kyocera positions itself well to capitalize in a market with vast potential."
About Tata Teleservices
Tata Teleservices is India's leading private telecom service provider. The company offers integrated telecom solutions to its customers under the Tata Indicom brand, and uses the latest CDMA 3G1X technology for its wireless network. Currently operating in 8 circles i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Gujarat, Karnataka, New Delhi, Maharashtra, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, the company has a customer base of over 1.7 million. With a planned nationwide footprint across the country, Tata Teleservices has acquired licenses to operate in 12 more circles, which include Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West) and West Bengal.
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 million) with net income of approximately US$655 million (JP¥ 68,086 million).
© 2004 Kyocera Wireless Corp. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. BREW and BREWChat are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the TIA. All other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACTS:
Mary Palmer
Kyocera Wireless Corp.
phone: 1-(858) 882-2479
e-mail: mpalmer@kyocera-wireless.com
Bangalore
U. Rajasekharan
Drishti Communications
phone: (011) 91-080-26595356
e-mail: u.raj@drishti-commn.com