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KYOCERA Launches Rugged, Work-Ready DuraXE Feature Phone at Telus, Complementing Rugged DuraForce Smartphone

North America's first LTE-capable feature phone sports enhanced functionality and enables businesses and everyday users to choose the right device for the task at hand

SAN DIEGO & QUEBEC – Kyocera Communications Inc. today announced that the rugged DuraXE feature phone will join its DuraForce ultra-rugged smartphone at TELUS, Canada's fastest-growing national telecommunications company, which provides wireless service to more than 8.5 million Canadians. The DuraXE is a Push-To-Talk device designed with a dedicated side-button to support TELUS Link® Push to Talk for active people who wish to stay connected in tough work environments. It will be available beginning Feb. 24 at TELUS for $130 with select two-year TELUS business and TELUS Your Choice Plans or $350 outright.

The DuraXE features a ruggedized design that's become synonymous with Kyocera phones. It boasts Military Standard 810G-certified protection for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, low pressure, solar radiation, salt fog and humidity, along with IP68 certification as dustproof and waterproof for up to 30 minutes in up to 1.83 metres of water. Its large, tactile keypad is designed for ease of use with gloved hands. Convenient top keys provide quick access to activate the speaker phone or end calls while, in addition to its internal color display, a high-contrast external display makes it easy to read while outside on the job.

"DuraXE provides TELUS customers with another option when it comes to rugged devices. It is ideal for anyone who can't afford to let anything get in the way of getting the job done," said Chuck Becher, vice president and general manager of sales and marketing, Kyocera Communications. "It's been carefully designed to stand up to the challenges of tough work-force environments, while performing reliably and easily to help workers excel on the job."

North America's first LTE-capable feature phone, DuraXE runs on an open-source operating system and uses a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor with a 1.1GHz Quad-core CPU that was originally created for smartphones. This allows functionality in the feature phone typically reserved for smartphones, including creation of Wi-Fi hot spots¹ and the ability to support a wide range of enterprise-grade software and applications, including Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) software from industry leader SOTI. SOTI and its flagship product, MobiControl, provide needed tools to more than 15,000 enterprises worldwide for optimizing and securing their mobile workforces across all platforms, supporting both corporate-liable and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies.

The DuraXE features dual-mic noise cancellation and powerful dual front speakers to help ensure that users can hear calls clearly—even in noisy environments. It is work-ready, providing a high degree of toughness without sacrificing power or features. It also provides great functionality with a 5MP auto-focus camera with LED flash and video recorder that captures picture perfect quality of life's most important moments. Calendar tools with GPS services, web connection and browser-based email help user's stay productive on-the-go.

Both DuraForce and DuraXE are certified for use in hazardous work locations where flammable gases, vapors, or mists are not normally present in an explosive concentration but may accidentally materialize (Non-incendive, Class I, Division 2, Groups A-D, T4)².

For more information on Kyocera's DuraForce, DuraXE and complete portfolio of durable and rugged devices for business, along with accessory and where-to-purchase information, visit kyoceramobile.com/business.

About Kyocera Communications, Inc.
Kyocera Communications, Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera-branded wireless devices in the Americas. It is part of the global Kyocera Group, which was founded in 1959 and is a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, copiers, printers, solar power generating systems, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. With a 56-year history of quality and innovation, Kyocera is the U.S. market leader in durable and waterproof mobile devices for consumers and enterprises. Kyocera uniquely combines Military Standard 810G-certified ruggedization and enterprise-grade security and application support with consumer-tier pricing and availability from the nation's leading wireless service providers. For more information, follow the company at facebook.com/KyoceraMobile or twitter.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 ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2015, the company's net sales totaled 1.53 trillion yen (approx. USD12.7 billion). Kyocera appears on the latest listing of the "Top 100 Global Innovators" by Thomson Reuters, and is ranked #531 on Forbes magazine's 2014 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.

¹Additional fees may apply.

²Warning: Do not charge, use USB / audio jack or open the battery door in Division 2 hazardous areas.

© 2016 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. TELUS Link is a registered trademark of TELUS. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered 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

Echo Media Group for Kyocera
Sabrina Suarez
phone: 714.573.0899 x227
e-mail: kyocera@echomediapr.com