IDEA Cellular Announces Launch of ''Group Talk'' Advanced Voice Services from Kodiak Networks; First Prepaid and Postpaid Offering of Innovative Voice Services via SIM Cards

Business Wire, April 19, 2006

PUNE, India & SAN RAMON, Calif. -- IDEA Cellular Limited (IDEA), a leading GSM operator in India and Kodiak Networks, global provider of advanced wireless voice systems, today announced that IDEA has launched Group Talk(TM), a suite of innovative group-oriented voice applications to customers in the Maharashtra and Goa circle. IDEA has deployed the Kodiak Networks Real-Time Exchange(TM) (RTX) System to enable these premium voice services applications, which utilize SIM cards as a delivery mechanism. The applications are enabled via Kodiak SIMpower(TM), a smart thin client which provides premium voice service functionality on existing GSM handsets. Group Talk will be made available to the company's customer base of over 7.3 million prepaid and postpaid wireless subscribers in coming months after the initial launch in its largest circle, Maharashtra and Goa.

The IDEA Group Talk application suite includes the following advanced voice services:

Voice Bridge -- Is an instant group conferencing application which provides fast and easy set-up of full-duplex, mobile-originated conference calls with up to 10 wireless and landline participants.

Instant Availability -- Similar to instant messaging applications, icons display the current availability of friends, family, coworkers, customers and suppliers to receive a wireless call. Availability states include "available," "do not disturb," and "offline."

Walkie-Talkie -- Push to talk calling with other Group Talk users. Callers release 'call floor' to allow walkie-talkie style calling.

Group SMS -- Simplifying keystrokes and menu navigation, this application compliments existing voice services by enabling discreet text communications when recipients are not available.

Quick Groups -- By simply selecting from the list of existing contacts, users can create a quick group to initiate a call to a series of individuals.

Contact and Group Management -- Allows IDEA subscribers can instantly create, modify and delete individuals, groups, and group members, directly in their SIM and also over the Internet. Contacts are then automatically backed up in the IDEA network.

"We selected Kodiak Networks because they could help us address the voice services requirements for group communication of the corporate and SME customers who are predominantly on postpaid, and youth segment who are largely on prepaid," said Mr. Vikram Mehmi, CEO, IDEA Cellular. "By utilizing the SIM and the Symbian Applet as the delivery mechanism for these enhanced voice services, we have obviated the need for custom handsets, thus enabling the entire customer base to avail of the services. With Group Talk, our customers can quickly and efficiently access the best group communications experience possible."

"IDEA Cellular is leading the industry by offering these exciting advanced voice services to their prepaid and postpaid customer base of over 7.3 million users," said Kris Patel, EVP products and customer support and CTO, Kodiak Networks. "As these applications are group-oriented, they require that end users can easily create communities of friends, family and colleagues at the touch of a button. Leveraging the SIM to deploy these applications should expedite service adoption and rapidly increase usage among customers."

About Kodiak Networks

Kodiak Networks (www.kodiaknetworks.com) is the leading advanced wireless systems innovator for network operators worldwide. The Kodiak Real-Time Exchange(TM) (RTX) System enables operators to deliver premium, integrated wireless voice services to their customers with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS). With the best overall performance, fastest speed and lowest latency in the industry, the Kodiak RTX enables a new category of Advanced Voice Services (AVS), including Instant Calling, Instant Conferencing, Instant Voice Messaging, Instant Availability and Group SMS. Kodiak Networks offers GSM, CDMA and UMTS voice systems that can be easily scaled from independent operators to multinational carriers utilizing 2G or 3G wireless networks. Other Kodiak carrier customers include Cingular Wireless, Orange S.A (Europe), Alltel, Amp'd Mobile, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellcom, Cellular South, Carolina West, East Kentucky Network, 3Rivers Wireless, Cellular South, Airtel (India) and IT&E (Guam). Kodiak thin client is available on SIMs produced by leading vendors including Gemplus, Axalto and Sagem Orga. Kodiak handset software is also available on handsets produced by leading manufacturers including Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, LG, Kyocera, Sagem, T&A Mobile Phones and Palm.

About IDEA Cellular:

As India's leading GSM Mobile Services operator, IDEA Cellular has licenses to operate in 11 circles. With a customer base of over 7 million, IDEA Cellular has operations in Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Uttaranchal, Haryana, UP- West and Kerala. IDEA Cellular's footprint currently covers approximately 45% of India's population and over 50% of the potential telecom-market.