Business Services Industry

Sony Ericsson Extends Handsfree Possibilities with New Bluetooth Headsets in the Akono Range and an Innovative Desk Speaker Stand

Business Wire, July 15, 2004

LONDON & RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Sony Ericsson today announces two new Bluetooth(TM) headsets and an innovative Desk Speaker Stand in a bid to further strengthen its leading position in Bluetooth headsets and mobile phone accessories. The new Akono(TM) Headset HBH-660 and Akono(TM) Headset HBH-300 improve on comfort, convenience and sound quality and can be used with all Bluetooth(TM) enabled phones. The new Desk Speaker Stand CSS-25 serves as a handsfree speaker phone and conference phone. It is ideal for business travelers and the wireless office.

The new Bluetooth(TM) headsets in Sony Ericsson's Akono(TM) range offer beneficial new features which make going hands free easy, comfortable and convenient. Both models are lightweight and stylish and they can be used with any brand of Bluetooth(TM) phone that supports the headset or handsfree profiles.

The cutting-edge functionality of Akono(TM) Headset HBH-660 introduces an info display, which shows the caller's name or number. By pressing buttons on the side of the earpiece, the user can handle calls without having to touch their mobile phone. The HBH-660 has a talk time of up to five hours and standby time of up to 150 hours, which makes it ideal for a full working day. With its slender shape, exclusive design, light weight and small size, the HBH-660 is comfortable to wear and easy to carry around. The HBH-660 will be available in Q4 2004.

The true workhorse of Sony Ericsson's Bluetooth headset range is Akono(TM) Headset HBH-300, optimized for sound performance especially in noisy environments. Designed with business people in mind, the HBH-300 makes it easier to safely handle calls in the office or in the car. Sound performance is optimized by an extended boom, which puts the microphone nearer to the caller's mouth and a noise canceling function, which reduces background sound. Talk time of up to 10 hours and standby time of up to 300 hours means that the headset can last for several days' intense usage before needing a recharge. The HBH-300 will be available Q3 2004.

The Desk Speaker Stand CSS-25 allows consumers to handle handsfree calls with excellent sound quality, either on loudspeaker or private. The CSS-25 has a built-in microphone/speaker making it easier to hear callers and ideal for smaller phone meetings. For private conversations there are two plugs - one for a Sony Ericsson Portable Handsfree, and one for a professional headset with a 0.10 in connector.

When needed, the CSS-25 can also run off the phone's battery, making it truly mobile. It can easily be taken on business trips or to meetings that require a speaker phone. The CSS-25 will also charge the phone battery and synchronize the user's phone and PC while the phone is in use. There is no longer any need to have one fixed phone and one mobile phone - the easy-to-use CSS-25, together with a Sony Ericsson mobile phone, can offer all the necessary functions. This makes the CSS-25 the ideal tool for businesses that are heading for a wireless office. The Desk Speaker Stand CSS-25 will be available in Q42004.

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB and its affiliated companies serve the global communications market with innovative and feature-rich mobile phones, accessories, PC-cards and M2M solutions. Established as a joint venture by Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY) and Sony (NYSE: SNE) in 2001, with head quarters in London, the company employs 5,000 people worldwide, including R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China and America. For more information, please visit www.SonyEricsson.com

NOTE TO EDITORS AND ART DEPARTMENT: High and low resolution photographs are available at Sony Ericsson's Global press site: www.sonyericsson.com and www.sonyericsson.com/us/press.> Any product features, specifications or statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual product features, specifications or forward-looking statements are subject to change.