Siemens to Provide AT&T Wireless with World's First Available GSM/TDMA Mobile Phone; S46 Phone Offers Consumers GPRS High-Speed Wireless Data Access, Optional MP3 Player Capability

Business Wire, March 18, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

CTIA Wireless 2002

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2002

Siemens today announced at the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless 2002 Show that it will provide the S46 mobile phone to AT&T Wireless starting this month.

The S46 is the first available phone in the world to combine GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) functionality, giving consumers the freedom of extensive domestic and international roaming. The S46 also is GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)-enabled to support high-speed wireless data access and Internet browsing.

An optional MP3 player headset provides music listening capability. The MP3 player includes a 32 megabyte MultiMediaCard that stores up to 50 minutes of music. Additional functionality includes a personal organizer that synchronizes with Microsoft(R) Outlook(TM) and IBM(R) Lotus Notes(TM), mobile Internet access via a WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) browser, voice-activated dialing, and a built-in data and fax modem. The S46 supports dual band GSM at 900 MHz and 1900 MHz as well as dual band TDMA at 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. The GSM capability eliminates the need for users to switch phones when traveling in Europe and Asia, and the TDMA technology allows for broader coverage in North America as well as coverage in most of Latin America. The S46 automatically selects the preferred network with a built-in search mechanism that initially looks for a GSM signal and then for a TDMA signal if a GSM connection is unavailable. In addition to its unique technical capabilities, the phone features an appealing design in a small, lightweight size.

"Introducing the S46 is a significant milestone for the mobile phone industry," said Florian Seiche, vice president and general manager of the Mobile Phones unit within Siemens Information and Communication Mobile. "We are proud to be the first in the world to market a GSM/TDMA mobile phone, and extremely pleased to be working with AT&T Wireless to provide professionals on the move with the tremendous flexibility and global mobility this phone offers."

"By bridging GSM/GPRS and TDMA, two of the world's leading wireless technologies, in a single handset, Siemens is enabling our customers to make a call or access information from almost anywhere in the world," said Rod Nelson, chief technology officer for AT&T Wireless. "The future of global wireless service is being showcased today."

Features and Benefits

Along with superior voice quality, the S46 provides up to 200 hours(1) of standby time and up to 5 hours(1) of talk time thanks to a Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery. The S46 will be sold for $199.99 and comes with a travel charger, Li-Ion battery, belt clip, and headset. It has an extensive set of useful features, including:

-- Worldwide mobility (GSM at 900 MHz/1900 MHz, TDMA at 850 MHz/1900 MHz)(2)

-- GPRS/GSM phone -- high data transfer rates(1)

-- Mobile Internet access (WAP 1.2)(1)

-- Built-in data and fax modem

-- Infrared (IrDA) interface for wireless file and data transfer

-- Synchronization of appointments and address book with Microsoft(R)
Outlook(TM) and IBM(R) Lotus Notes(TM)

-- Small and compact styling

-- Integrated silent alert function

-- Voice dialing

-- Fully featured address book (up to 400 contacts)

-- Full-graphic display with amber backlight

-- Intelligent typing T9(TM) word-recognition technology for faster messaging

-- Clock/alarm/date

-- Outgoing call redial for last 10 numbers

-- 42 possible ring tones (38 integrated and 4 customizable)

-- Voice and conversation memo records up to 80 seconds

GSM/TDMA Background

Adoption of GSM technology continues to grow significantly. Globally, more than 646 million GSM mobile phone users account for approximately 70 percent of the total mobile phone population worldwide, according to recent statistics provided to the GSM Association from EMC. In North America there were more than 13.5 million GSM and 94.7 million TDMA mobile phone users in December 2001, up from 9.6 million GSM and 65.2 million TDMA mobile phone users in December 2000, also according to the GSM Association via data provided by EMC. Major U.S. carriers like AT&T Wireless have already started to deploy GSM/GPRS technology and will continue to transition their TDMA networks to GSM. Siemens is committed to supporting the transition to GSM in North America and the S46 is designed to assist AT&T Wireless in its switch to this de facto global standard.

About Siemens Information and Communication Mobile

The Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (IC Mobile) offers the complete range of mobile solutions including mobile devices, infrastructure and applications. Devices include mobile phones, wireless modules, mobile organizers and cordless phones as well as products for wireless home networks. The infrastructure portfolio includes GSM, GPRS and 3G mobile network technologies from base stations and switching systems to intelligent networks, e.g. for prepaid services. Mobile Applications cover end-to-end solutions for Messaging, Location Based Services or Mobile Payment. For the fiscal year 2001 (Sept. 30), IC Mobile recorded sales of EUR 11.3 billion and employed 30,730 people worldwide. You can access further information about Siemens IC Mobile on the Internet at www.icm.siemens.com