Kyocera Wireless Demonstrates Prototype Dual-Mode CDMA/Wi-Fi Handset with Boingo Integrated Wi-Fi Roaming At CTIA Show

Business Wire, April 5, 2006

LAS VEGAS -- CDMA/Wi-Fi Prototype Handset Includes Integrated Access to Boingo Roaming Network; Dual-Mode Phone Addresses Burgeoning Market for Feature-Rich WLAN-Enabled Handsets

Kyocera Wireless Corp., a leading global manufacturer of CDMA wireless phones and devices, and Boingo Wireless Inc., the world's leading Wi-Fi network aggregator, today announced the demonstration of a prototype Kyocera BREW-based dual-mode Wi-Fi/CDMA handset with integrated Boingo public Wi-Fi roaming at the CTIA Wireless 2006 trade show in Las Vegas, addressing the growing market for WLAN-enabled handsets.

The prototype shows the ease with which global public Wi-Fi access can be integrated into the service offerings of operators and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) looking for a feature-rich dual-mode phone. Dual-mode CDMA/Wi-Fi devices leverage the ubiquity of wide-area 3G networks and the high-performance and cost savings of local-area Wi-Fi networks. In a real-world setting, network operators and MVNOs can optimize the dual-mode handset's application suite to automatically choose the appropriate mode, based on environmental and performance preferences.

"Dual-mode phones give users the ability to capitalize on the best network available for the task at hand," said Colby Goff, senior vice president of network strategy and business development for Boingo Wireless. "Kyocera Wireless has been instrumental in helping us achieve our vision of a prototype handset that can roam across the Boingo network globally."

"Giving carriers a solution that is eminently flexible and lets them capitalize on the performance and economic advantages of Wi-Fi while still retaining the full complement of mobile voice and data services has been high on our priority list," said Tom Maguire, vice president of global marketing at Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Boingo provides a powerful, lightweight software solution that meets our stringent requirements."

Dual-mode phones represent the convergence of 3G cellular services and Wi-Fi hot spot networks. The addition of Wi-Fi to a handset enhances cellular network connectivity by offloading high-bandwidth applications in hot spots where the price/performance ratio of Wi-Fi can be less than half that of cellular services. This is especially attractive to MVNOs who do not own their own networks and must purchase cellular access at the prevailing market rates.

Other applications for dual-mode handsets include connectivity when outside of service areas. When bundled with VoIP software, the dual-mode handset can send and receive calls in foreign countries where local GSM service is incompatible with the phone's core CDMA technology. Wi-Fi connectivity -- in homes, offices, and public hot spots -- also improves in-building connectivity and coverage where the cellular network signal is weak or unavailable.

Kyocera's prototype dual-mode handset leverages Boingo software specially designed for handsets and other mobile devices to enable global roaming and automatic user authentication across public Wi-Fi networks that are part of the Boingo(R) Roaming System. The software also includes complete network connection and profile management capabilities, allowing the user to configure connection profiles for private Wi-Fi networks such as home and office.

Next-generation wireless phones offering built-in Wi-Fi support stand to benefit end-users and network operators alike. Users within range of a Wi-Fi signal, or "hot spot," will experience significantly faster data throughput, improving the user experience. With the ability to offload data intensive applications from cellular data channels, service providers will improve their ability to manage network traffic and maintain peak performance. In addition, seamless interoperability between Wi-Fi and 3G networks promises new revenue opportunities for service providers by enabling delivery of data-intensive applications and services such as streaming video and interactive games, with minimal impact on network performance.

Both Kyocera Wireless and Boingo are members of MobileIGNITE, an industry alliance promoting MobileVoIP interoperability based on open standards, and have been collaborating with fellow member BridgePort Networks for the demonstration to showcase Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solutions that ensure interoperability and a seamless user experience. The demonstration can be viewed at the Kyocera Wireless booth (#5426 North Hall) and the BridgePort Networks booth (#3500 Hall C1/C2).

30,581 Reasons to Use Boingo

The Boingo Roaming System gives business travelers the best choice of Wi-Fi hot spots by combining 30,000 locations from more than 130 leading Wi-Fi operators into one worldwide network. The Boingo software solution, which combines more than 450 network names into one virtual Wi-Fi network to simplify identifying and connecting to commercial Wi-Fi networks, enables users to login to any Boingo Roaming location with a single account.

About Kyocera Wireless Corp.

Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA wireless devices and accessories for customers worldwide. Kyocera Wireless maintains an operating belief in the genius of simplicity and strives to make the wireless experience as simple and intuitive as humanly possible. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Incorporated's CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.