News

Bell Announces Exclusive Canadian Launch Of Ultra-Rugged KYOCERA DuraForce 4G LTE Android Smartphone

Built to Withstand Extreme Environments, Hazardous Materials and Accidents; DuraForce's Tough-All-Over Design Offers Durable Solution for Canada's Most Rugged Users

SAN DIEGO & MONTREAL- November 13, 2014  -  Kyocera Communications, Inc.  and  Bell  today announced the November 20th launch of the new  Kyocera DuraForce, an ultra-rugged, waterproof 4G LTE Android^TM smartphone. Available in Canada exclusively from Bell Mobility on the country's largest 4G LTE network, the Military Standard 810G- and IP68-certified DuraForce supports Bell's leading  Push-to-Talk (PTT)  service and enables workers and active consumers to do more with their smartphones-on the most demanding jobsite or skiing down the steep slopes of one of Canada's many winter resorts.

DuraForce is IP68-certified, meaning it is dustproof, waterproof and can be submerged in up to 1.8 metres of water for up to 30 minutes. With a reinforced housing and Military Standard 810G protection against dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, low pressure/high altitudes, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and water immersion, DuraForce can go more places and withstand extreme environments and accidents. DuraForce's durability withstands toughest treatment, as evidenced by Bear Grylls, Kyocera's lead product tester, adventure-survivalist and star of the new series "Running Wild with Bear Grylls." Watch Bear putting DuraForce to the ultimate test at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2VCe3erINs.

With PTT from Bell, DuraForce gives customers quick and reliable connection to an individual or group instantly with just a push of a button. DuraForce is designed with a large, tactile side button that makes PTT calls easy, even while wearing gloves. It comes equipped with an extra-loud speaker and can accommodate an external PTT remote speaker microphone accessory.

"Kyocera and Bell Mobility have teamed up to offer the Canadian market an ultra-rugged, affordable smartphone designed to meet the demands of extreme lifestyles," said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. "DuraForce is designed for the person who works or plays in tough environments, like those in the oil and gas industry, or anyone who wants to take on the toughest winter sports and not worry about breaking their phones on a major spill. DuraForce is intended to allow users the freedom to work and play as hard as they want."

"Bell was the first wireless operator in Canada to offer customers a modern Push-to-talk service on a high-speed wireless network and we're excited to continue to lead the way with the exclusive launch of the PTT-ready Kyocera DuraForce ultra-rugged smartphone," said Blaik Kirby, Chief Marketing Officer at Bell Mobility. "With the DuraForce, Bell Mobility customers will experience all the business and consumer benefits that high-speed 4G LTE delivers in a smartphone tough enough to take whatever life throws at it."

DuraForce is certified for use in hazardous work environments (Hazardous Locations: Non-incendive, Class I, Division 2) where concentrations of flammable gases, vapors, or mists are not normally present in an explosive concentration but may materialize, making it an ideal smartphone for industries such as Oil Exploration and Production, Utilities, Chemical Production, Airport Refueling, Pharmaceutical/Paint Industries and Natural Gas Pipeline/Production Centers.

DuraForce features the Android^TM KitKat 4.4.2 operating system and a Qualcomm® Snapdragon^TM 400 with 1.4GHz Quad-Core CPU. The phone's 16GB of ROM can be augmented via an external microSD^TM card slot that supports cards up to 32GB. It has a high-capacity 3100mAh Lithium Ion battery that is well suited to long days on the job or on the go, along with a 4.5" 720p HD impact-resistant touchscreen that can be used while wearing gloves¹, with wet hands or when the screen is wet. The touchscreen immediately recognizes the input method, whether by glove or bare hand, and automatically adjusts the sensitivity level.

DuraForce is the ideal device for workers in industries such as agriculture, construction, oil and gas, security, transportation, hospitality, home healthcare as well as mechanics, plumbers, landscapers and anyone who requires a smartphone that is tough enough to withstand the roughest work situations. And consumers - whether outdoor adventurers or those in Canada's coldest climates will appreciate a device that's tough enough to overcome life's challenges, yet sleek enough to fit conveniently in a pocket.

The Kyocera DuraForce launches nationally with Bell Mobility on November 20th. For more information, please visit Bell.ca/KyoceraDuraForce.

Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home phone and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montreal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit  Bell.ca.

The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like the recent Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace programs. To learn more, please visit  Bell.ca/Let'sTalk

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  facebook.com/KyoceraMobile  ortwitter.com/kyoceramobile.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (global.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial components. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the company's consolidated net sales totaled 1.45 trillion yen (approx. $14.1 billion USD).

¹  1 Recognizes touch input while wearing gloves up to 3mm thick, the material, texture and thickness of the glove as well as how it fits your hand will impact performance. Individual results may vary.

 

©2014 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. microSD is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC in the United States and other countries. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

 

For more information, contact:

 

Kyocera Communications, Inc.
John Chier
phone: 858.882.3543
e-mail:  john.chier@kyocera.com

Bell
Jason Laszlo
phone: 905.614.6602
e-mail:  Jason.laszlo@bell.ca

Echo Media Group
Sabrina Saurez
phone: 714.573.0899 x227
e-mail:  sabrina@echomediaPR.com