Pantech Launches New Branded Handset in U.S. with Cingular Wireless

C120 Camera Phone to Strengthen Pantech's Presence in the U.S. GSM Market; Previously Launched C300 Model Gaining Brand Recognition Among U.S. Consumers

ATLANTA & SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2006--Pantech Wireless, Inc. -- the U.S.-based subsidiary of Pantech Group, Korea's leading mobile phone manufacturer -- and Cingular Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., today announced the introduction of the stylish, slim Pantech C120 camera phone in the U.S.

The Pantech C120 -- a slim bar-type model, which is part of Pantech's unique 'Slim-Series' of handsets -- will be sold as an exclusive handset to customers of Cingular GoPhone, the most innovative and feature-rich prepaid wireless service in the industry. The new handset is likely to appeal to consumers through its combination of compact, attractive design and its wide range of functions.

Sung Kyu Lee, President & CEO, Pantech Wireless, Inc., said: "The introduction of the Pantech C120 further underscores our ambition to become a leader in the U.S. mobile phone market and, indeed, in other key regions around the world. We hope the Pantech C120 turns out to be another iconic model in Cingular's product lineup."

The Pantech C120 weighs 75g and features a VGA camera, a 65,000 color display and speakerphone. Its introduction in the U.S. closely follows a successful launch in June of the Pantech C300 model, the world's smallest camera flip phone in the GSM arena.

About GoPhone

GoPhone consists of two unique service offerings, "Pick Your Plan" and "Pay As You Go." These offerings provide consumers the option of a plan that comes with predictable monthly payments or a traditional prepaid solution. Both GoPhone plans offer most of the same great features as traditional Cingular Wireless plans. Cingular GoPhone users on select plans can enjoy free mobile-to-mobile calling, giving them unlimited talk time with friends on Cingular's 57-million subscriber base.

Pick Your Plan

"Pick Your Plan" is different from any other no-long-term contract prepaid option in the industry because users have the convenience of a monthly payment without having to sign a long-term contract.

Some benefits include:

• Users can choose between four plans, ranging from $29.99 to $69.99 per month and receive up to 650 minutes per month with unlimited Nights and Weekends, and unlimited talk to all 57 Million Cingular customers, all with no annual contract, credit check or start-up fees. Number of minutes available will vary and is based on customer's actual usage.
• Simply establish an automatic monthly payment with a credit card, debit card or checking account that will take place the same day every month. Payments are always the same amount.
• As consumers use their phone, minutes are deducted from the GoPhone account without having to buy a prepaid card.
• Keep your unused balance every month with Rollover(R) Balance(TM), adding to the freedom and flexibility of GoPhone.
• Pick Your Plan customers can also take advantage of text messaging packages. When users can't talk, exchanging text messages is a quick and simple way to communicate. Just type a message with the wireless device keypad and send.
• MEdia Net, international text messaging, cool ringtones and graphics, multimedia messaging and affordable international long distance are all available.

Pay As You Go

The GoPhone "Pay As You Go" plan allows users to experience the benefits of wireless mobility on Cingular's network with no annual contract or credit check and an unlimited talk option to more than 57 million Cingular customers across the United States. The "Pay As You Go" plan is broken into two service options that are tailored to the consumer's mobile needs, providing simplicity and value right out of the box.

• Unlimited talk to all 57 million Cingular customers for $1 per day and only 10 cents per minute for all other calls ($1.00 per day charged only on days phone is used, which is different than other competitors who charge a per day use even if the product is not used).
• An alternative is to pay a simple flat rate of only 25 cents per minute for all calls with no additional access charges.

Text and instant messaging, international text messaging, affordable international long distance, ringtones, game, graphics, MEdia Net and multimedia messaging are all available through the Pay As You Go service.

Pay As You Go Universal Refill Card

Cingular's universal prepaid replenishment card allows both new and existing GoPhone prepaid users to replenish their accounts online or at select ATM machines, with debit or credit cards. In addition, prepaid cards are available at more than 60,000 locations, including Cingular retail stores, RadioShack, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, 7-Eleven and Western Union. The card denominations and expirations are as follows:

• $15 -- 30 days
• $25 -- 90 days
• $50 -- 90 days
• $75 -- 90 days
• $100 -- 365 days

The Pantech C300, which is Cingular's first offering from Pantech, is just 2.72 inches tall, 1.69 inches wide and only 0.76 inches thick with the flip closed, yet boasts bright, large font color screens both inside and out. As a major endorsement of Pantech's technical expertise and the excellent quality of the product, Cingular recently used the Pantech C300 as a key element of its 'Back-to-School' promotional events in the western U.S. over a two month period.

Pantech plans to ramp up sales in the U.S. by 20% in 2006, through a greater focus on developing its brand awareness in the market place and an increase in direct supplies to major U.S. service operators.

Direct supplies to U.S. service operators, through regional subsidiary Pantech Wireless, are expected to account for about 70% of the company's exports to the North American market by the end of this year.

Pantech C120 features include:

• VGA Camera
• Speakerphone
• Dimension: 103 x 42.5 x 13.5 mm (Intenna)
• Weight: 75g
• Display: 1.5" 65K CSTN (128 x 128 pixels)
• 40 polyphonic ring tone
• Messaging: SMS/MMS/OZ IM Client
• WAP 2.0 / JAVA 2.0

About Pantech Wireless, Inc.:
Pantech Wireless, Inc., a Cypress, CA based subsidiary of Pantech & Curitel and Pantech Co., Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America as part of the Pantech Group. For additional information, visit the PWI website at www.pantechusa.com.

About Pantech:
Pantech, through its affiliates -- Pantech Co., Ltd., Pantech&Curitel Communications, Inc. and Pantech C&I Co. -- is one of Korea's top 3 mobile handset makers and is the seventh largest handset manufacturer in the world. Pantech has been responsible for a number of breakthrough innovations in the mobile technology sector, including the introduction in 2004 of the world's first fingerprint recognition camera phone, as well as award winning camcorder, MP3 and DMB phones. In 2005, Pantech affiliate Pantech&Curitel Communications acquired SK Teletech Co., the handset manufacturing arm of SK Telecom, the number one mobile network operator in South Korea. The SKY brand, originally marketed by SK Teletech as the most popular premium handset brand in South Korea, has since become part of the Pantech brand portfolio. Pantech markets its products under the SKY and Curitel brands in the domestic Korean market and under the Pantech brand overseas. Pantech collectively has approximately 3,500 employees and 20 regional sales offices worldwide. For more information on Pantech, please visit www.pantech.com.

 

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