News

Waterproof KYOCERA Hydro Edge Splashes into Sprint and Boost Mobile this Summer

LAS VEGAS -- May 21, 2013 --“ Get summer-ready and ditch the water-damage worries of texting near water. Today, Sprint (NYSE:S), Boost Mobile and Kyocera Communications Inc. announce the upcoming availability of the Kyocera Hydro Edge smartphone. Whether it's dropped in water or run through the sprinkler, Hydro Edge is built to withstand sprayed water or submersion in up to 3.28 feet of fresh water for 30 minutes.

Building on the success of the original Kyocera Hydro, which launched at Boost Mobile in 2012, Hydro Edge will be available this summer from both Sprint and Boost Mobile, one of Sprint's no-contract  brands. (1)  Hydro Edge boasts many enhancements to its predecessor, including a dual-core processor, 4-inch touchscreen, Android 4.1 and Kyocera's Smart Sonic Receiver technology. Exact pricing and launch date will be announced closer to availability.

"Just about everyone knows someone who has damaged their phone in water," said Fared Adib, senior vice president-Product Development, Sprint. "Kyocera Hydro Edge is the perfect smartphone to eliminate the panic of water damage for busy parents or anyone who works outside -- from lifeguards to landscape architects. Sprint is making it even more affordable to enjoy Hydro Edge by giving our customers the choice between Sprint and Boost Mobile for their device purchase."

The benefits of Hydro Edge from Sprint include:
- Upfront savings on the device with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade.
- Truly UnlimitedSM data, text and calling to any mobile with no metering, no throttling, and no overages, all while on the Sprint network.
- Sprint is the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all 47 industries, over the last five years, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
- Sprint customers have access to SprintReady Now service where trained retail associates will work one-on-one with customers to personalize their Kyocera Hydro Edge and set up such features as email, Web and apps before leaving the store. Customers have the choice of sitting down with a Sprint retail associate at the time of purchase or scheduling an appointment online for a later time.

Customers choosing to dip their Hydro Edge into the no-contract pool with Boost Mobile will appreciate:
- Boost Mobile's no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with unlimited nationwide talk, text and picture messaging, Web, email and calls to 411.
-Significant savings over the life of their Hydro Edge with Boost Mobile's Shrinking Payments: for every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile's Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.
- Boost Mobile's award-winning experience: Boost has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as "Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers."(2)

Regardless of how you pay for your wireless services, Kyocera Hydro Edge on Sprint and Boost includes:
- Android [TM]Jelly Bean
- 1GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon® processor
- Smart Sonic Receiver technology --  improves audio in noisy environments
- 4-inch capacitive impact-resistant touchscreen
- 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and video camera

"Kyocera Hydro Edge is the next generation of the original Kyocera Hydro, which launched at Boost Mobile in 2012 and has been a top seller ever since," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. "People clearly see the value of an affordable smartphone that's also waterproof. With Hydro Edge, we're keeping those core values while taking performance to a new level."

Smart Sonic Receiver Technology
Hydro Edge features Kyocera's proprietary, award-winning Smart Sonic Receiver technology, which eliminates the need for a traditional speaker in a handset by using vibrations to transmit sounds directly to the eardrum. Placing the phone in contact with the general area of the ear creates clear sound even in very noisy environments, such as construction sites, sporting events, concerts and playgrounds. Removing the traditional speaker eliminates the need for a speaker cavity in the phone's housing, enabling cleaner aesthetics and enhanced waterproofing. The technology received multiple "Best of" awards when it was introduced at CTIA Wireless 2012, the wireless industry's largest U.S. trade show.

To support the growing need for data, Sprint is rolling out a new 3G/4G network designed to provide faster data speeds, improved call quality and easier connectivity. Sprint expects customers to benefit with better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage and fewer drops/blocks. For the most up-to-date information on Sprint network coverage, please visit sprint.com/coverage.

Please visit kyocerasmartphones.com/hydro-edge for more information.

[1] Service on the Boost Mobile brand is subject to acceptance of certain terms and conditions.

[2] Boost Mobile received the highest numerical score among non-contract wireless providers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2013 Non-Contract Wireless Purchase Experience Study-- Vol. 1. Study based on responses from 3,533 consumers measuring 7 non-contract wireless providers and measures opinions of consumers who purchased a wireless product or service within last 6 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed July-December 2012. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 55 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2013 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile, recently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as "Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers," offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts. Boost Mobile redefines value for wireless consumers with its Monthly Unlimited with Shrinking Payments no-contract service, where the longer you stay the less you pay with on-time payments for unlimited voice, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Boost Mobile offers nationwide service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 282 million people, with no activation or long-distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from HTC, LG, Motorola, BlackBerry, Samsung, Kyocera and ZTE, ranging from entry-level to Android smartphone devices available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Family Dollar, Walgreens and Walmart, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network. Re-Boost® Cards are available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.

About Kyocera Communications Inc.
Kyocera Communications Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera  wireless devices in the Americas. Designed with durability, dependability, and long-term value as priorities, Kyocera mobile phones help people feel comfortable with new technology and use it to connect, perform and outsmart life's challenges. At the heart of Kyocera's products is a belief that one size doesn't fit all and that people should do more with phones instead of being confused by them or having to alter their lifestyles to accommodate them. For more information, follow the company at www.facebook.com/kyoceramobilephones or www.twitter.com/kyoceramobile.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine (or "advanced" ceramics. Kyocera specializes in combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, such as solar power generating systems, printers, copiers, mobile phones, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial components. During the year ended March 31, 2013, the company's net sales totaled 1.28 trillion yen (approx. USD13.6 billion).

 

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© 2013 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Sprint is a registered trademark of Sprint Nextel. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. Snapdragon is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

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Media Contacts:

Natalie Papaj, Sprint 
703-592-8412 
natalie.lariviere@sprint.com                                            

Danielle Babbington, Boost Mobile
949-748-3418
danielle.babbington@sprint.com

John Chier, Kyocera Communications Inc.
858-882-3543
john.chier@kyocera.com