Panasonic® Toughbook® Business-Rugged W5 and T5 Notebooks Certified to Deliver Embedded Sprint Mobile Broadband Service

Business Wire, Dec 19, 2006

Launch Marks Availability of the First Business-Rugged Laptops with Embedded EV-DO Rev. A Capabilities; Expands Broad Portfolio of Reliable 3G-Enabled Toughbook Notebooks and Tablet PCs

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (PCSC), the leading provider of durable, reliable wireless mobile PCs, and Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced that the business-rugged Toughbook W5 and T5 notebooks will now feature built-in support for Sprint Mobile Broadband services, including its upgraded EV-DO Revision A service where available. With this certification, Panasonic now offers the broadest range of Sprint-enabled reliable PCs for all mobile environments, from extreme to mainstream, including rugged, semi-rugged and business-rugged mobile computers.

The ultraportable and reliable W5 and T5 join other 3G enabled Toughbooks, including the fully-rugged CF-29 notebook, CF-18 convertible tablet and semi-rugged CF-74, as part of Panasonic's portfolio of mobile broadband enabled notebooks. With this certification, users will have the option to access Sprint Mobile Broadband service running on the Sprint Power Vision Network in more than 220 communities (with a population of more than 100,000) and 725 airports across the US, a coverage area that encompasses more than 180 million people.

"Sprint and Panasonic have had a longstanding relationship based on the belief that the promise of seamless connectivity requires a notebook designed to stand up to the test of mobility," said Victoria Obenshain, director of wireless strategy, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "Lightweight, durable business-rugged notebooks--with exceptionally long battery life--are the perfect fit for today's mobile business user and complement our existing family of Sprint-enabled rugged and semi-rugged Toughbooks. Now, Toughbook users--from the extreme to the mainstream--can access Sprint's next generation mobile broadband service wherever their work takes them."

"Combining the innovation and capabilities of the Sprint Power Vision Network with rugged and reliable Panasonic notebooks demonstrates an unmatched value for mobile users," said Danny Bowman, vice president of customer equipment for Sprint. "With the EV-DO Rev. A-equipped W5 and T5, Sprint and Toughbook customers have a complete solution that combines real-time, access on the go with a lightweight, reliable form factor so customers have the power to do more."

Both the W5 and T5 Toughbooks feature the Wireless PCI Express Mini Card Embedded Module from Sierra Wireless, giving Toughbook customers a top-of-the-line wireless broadband computing experience. With this technology users can take advantage of Sprint's advanced mobile broadband services (EV-DO Rev. A), where available, to access the Internet or e-mail, download large files and attachments, and run hosted business applications. With Rev. A enhancements, users can anticipate average download speeds of 450 to 800 kbps and upload speeds of 300 to 400 kbps. The notebooks will also operate on the Sprint Power Vision Network where the EV-DO Revision A upgrade is not yet available.

The ultraportable Panasonic Toughbook W5, with its integrated DVD/CD-RW combo drive, 12.1 inch anti-glare LCD, and weight of just 3.1 pounds, is ideal for mobile professionals who demand the standard features found in larger notebooks at a decreased size and weight. The W5 also offers an exceptional battery life of eight hours.

The Toughbook T5 is an ultraportable tablet alternative notebook with a 12.1 inch touch-screen display, 10 hour battery life, ergonomic hand strap, and weight of just 3.5 pounds. It is ideal for professionals who want the flexibility to enter information with a stylus or using the keyboard.

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook W5 and T5 with embedded Sprint Mobile Broadband will be available next month at an estimated street price of $2,249.00. These and other Toughbooks are available through authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers, including Panasonic authorized Sprint Business Solutions partners, and, online, via "Buy Now" partners found at http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/purchase.asp. Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.

About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile workforce. The company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC). Panasonic has delivered reliable, durable mobile solutions through its Toughbook[R] line of notebook computers for thirteen years and has expanded the boundaries of wireless technology through a broad portfolio of products, ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength notebook computers and tablet PCs to thin and light semi-rugged notebooks. A core manufacturer, Matsushita and its subsidiaries control the entire process of design, manufacture, quality assurance, service and support. As a result, Panasonic Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in the industry. Government, industrial, and commercial users--from Fortune 1,000 companies to small businesses--rely on solutions from Panasonic, wherever their work takes them.