Company Press Release:
 
Pantech Launches PA-711 CDMA Mobile Handset exclusively for Tata Indicom’s Revolutionary ‘Non-Stop Mobile’ service
 
  • Launching the Pantech range of CDMA mobile handsets, exclusively with Tata Indicom 
  • Pantech to be a part of Tata Indicom’s first time ever revolutionary Non Stop Mobile service 
  • Pantech introduces the compact, stylish PA-711 handsets. 
  • Pantech to introduce a series of other feature rich handsets shortly.  
Mumbai, October 25, 2005
Pantech, South Korea’s second largest mobile phone manufacturer - comprised of Pantech&Curitel Communications, Inc., Pantech Co. and Pantech C&I Inc. (“Pantech” hereafter) - announced today that Tata Indicom service would now be available on Pantech mobile handsets.

Pantech plans to roll out a number of elegant CDMA handsets in India, starting with the compact, stylish PA-711 phone introduced exclusively on Tata Indicom ‘Non Stop Mobile’ service.

Pantech, along with Tata Indicom’s unique Non-stop mobile service will offer to the Indian consumers its cutting edge handsets with a variety of service benefits and develop a significant share in the rapidly growing Indian mobile phone market. Further to the launch of the PA 711 handset, Pantech will also introduce a range of feature rich handsets shortly.

Dr. Moon S. Song, President & CEO of Pantech&Curitel Communications, Inc., said: “India is a very important market for us and, as such, we are committed to offering a wide range of affordable and innovative handsets to our customers in India through the establishment of a lasting and mutually beneficial association with Tata Indicom.

Our association with Tata Indicom will further enhance brand recognition for Pantech in the region. We are confident that we will strengthen our position in the market as a provider of attractively priced yet technologically advanced handsets - such as the PA-711 - to our customers in India,” said Dr. Song.

On the occasion Dr. Mukund Rajan, Director-Tata Teleservices Limited, expressed, “It gives us great pleasure to associate with Pantech. We at Tata Indicom share a similar vision as Pantech, which is to enhance the quality and everyday convenience through the use of superior technology available widely at a reasonable cost.

Just when Tata Indicom is lighting fire in the world of mobile communications, which will change the way Indians talk forever, Pantech’s sleek and compact handsets will make an entry into the mass consumer market of India. Tata Indicom’s Non Stop Mobile service will enhance Pantech’s popularity with the customers. Together the combination, we hope, would be simply irresistible.”

The PA-711 is a stylish and compact CDMA handset, which features the unique BREW platform, which allows users to download a range of entertainment and productivity applications to personalize their handsets. It also includes the T9 Text Input function, which offers a range of language characters and enables wireless Internet access and email functions.

Pantech plans to build on its partnership with Tata Indicom to increase its share in the rapidly growing Indian handset market, which will in turn support its plans to become one of the top five handset manufacturers in the world.

PA-711 features include:

Pricing & availability:
The PA-711 handset is now available in India with all Tata Indicom. The PA-711 can be acquired at Rs. 4699 with the benefits of the Tata Indicom Non Stop Mobile’ service across the country through all retail outlets where Tata Indicom mobile phones are exhibited including all Tata Indicom True Value Hubs, Shoppes and Express. Therefore, making it convenient for all customers to be a part of this revolution.

The ‘Non Stop Mobile’ service allows customers to receive free incoming calls for a period of 2 years. There is no fixed monthly commitment, subscribers are free to recharge with any recharge voucher (starting at Rs 50/-) and use the value till he desires upto for the entire validity period of the mobile. All this comes with 100% talk time


About Pantech:
Pantech, through its affiliates - Pantech Co., Ltd., Pantech&Curitel Communications, Inc. and Pantech C&I Inc - is ranked second in the South Korean domestic market and marked as the Seventh Largest mobile handset manufacturer in the world. Pantech is also recognized as one of the world’s fastest growing providers of mobile communications solutions. 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 and MP3 phones. In May 2005, Pantech affiliate Pantech&CuritelCommunications, Inc. announced the acquisition of SK Teletech Co., Ltd., the fourth largest handset manufacturer in the Korean market. SK Teletech was originally the handset-manufacturing arm of SK Telecom, number one mobile network operator in Korea. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Pantech and SK Telecom plan to collaborate in joint research and development initiatives and will work together in the global expansion of their respective businesses into overseas markets, The SKY brand, marketed by SK Teletech, is the most popular premium handset brand in Korea. In August 2005, to facilitate the goal of Pantech becoming one of the world’s top five mobile handset brands, the Pantech Co. and SK Teletech were merged under the Pantech organization. Pantech collectively has more than 5,000 employees and a total of 20 regional sales offices worldwide. Pantech - through its affiliates - reported total revenues of approximately US$4 billion in 2004. For more information on Pantech, please visit: www.pantech.com or www.curitel.com.

About Tata Teleservices:
Tata Teleservices is one of India's leading private telecom service provider. The company offers integrated telecom solutions to its customers under the Tata Indicom brand, and uses the latest CDMA 3G1X technology for its wireless network. Tata Teleservices operates in 20 circles i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Gujarat, Karnataka, New Delhi, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (E), Uttar Pradesh (W), Kolkata, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. The company has a customer base of over 5.6 million.