New SLICE Handset is Super Skinny, Affordable and Requires No Activation
Fee or Contract
WARREN, N.J. and HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The saying
"flat as a pancake" takes on a whole new meaning when used to describe the
newest mobile phone from Virgin Mobile USA and UTStarcom Personal
Communications, a division of UTStarcom, Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI). Named the
SLICE, this trim bar-style handset is the thinnest cell phone currently
available in the U.S. without a contract or an activation fee, measuring
just 0.4" -- less than half an inch. The SLICE is available now at Virgin
Mobile retail partners and will be available online at
http://www.virginmobileusa.com as of November 2nd, at the "slim" price of
$49.99.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061010/NYTU040LOGO )
"It's unbelievable that something as thin as a CD jewel case boasts
both the latest in technology and an array of the industry's hottest mobile
features," said Dan Schulman, chief executive officer, Virgin Mobile USA.
"The SLICE's stylish design, slim profile and unique flat keypad, combined
with Virgin Mobile's Pay As You Go wireless service, will make this an
incredibly appealing handset for our youthful customer base." According to
Virgin Mobile's own research, 33% of current cell phone users(1) say they
want a thin design for their next mobile phone.
"SLICE is another example of UTStarcom's dedication to developing
innovative mobile devices that are practical, fashionable and affordably
priced," Philip Christopher, president of UTStarcom Personal
Communications. "We believe this handset will be a popular gift to give
this holiday season to teens and young adults."
The SLICE comes pre-loaded with hot new games, including Midnight Pool
Players Club and Platinum Solitaire Players Club, from Virgin Mobile. With
a powerful Lithium Ion 900 mAh battery, continuous talk time for the SLICE
is up to 230 minutes (3.8 hours), standby is up to 270 hours. The SLICE
measures 4.3" (h) x 1.8" (w) x 0.4" (d) and weighs only 2.3 ounces. The
seamless keypad, which emits a bright blue backlight when pressed, makes
text messaging a cinch.
With a built-in speakerphone for hands-free talking, the SLICE features
a 1.5" 65K Color STN (128 x 128) color screen with 32 MB/8 MB (Flash/RAM)
memory capacity that can hold up to 500 phone book entries. The SLICE also
utilizes Qualcomm's CMX(TM)-enabled ringtones and screensavers, which
supports popular audio (MIDI, QCP, MP3, MPD) and image (PNG, JPG, GIF,
Animated GIF) formats. Virgin Mobile customers can download superphonic
ringtones, games and screensavers.
About UTStarcom Personal Communications
UTStarcom Personal Communications is changing the way the world
communicates through innovative wireless devices that deliver advanced
communications solutions to improve personal lifestyles.
UTStarcom Personal Communications provides wireless communications
devices including handsets, PocketPCs and wireless broadband modems to
carriers throughout North and South America and supplies every CDMA carrier
in the U.S. and Canada. The company's products are manufactured by its
parent company, UTStarcom, Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI), and by third-party original
equipment manufacturers. UTStarcom Personal Communications Division is
based in Hauppauge, New York, and maintains offices and support facilities
throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Korea and India.
UTStarcom, Inc. is a global leader in IP access networking solutions
and international service and support. The company sells its wireline,
wireless, optical and switching solutions to operators around the world.
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda, California, the company has
research and design operations in New Jersey, China, and India.
About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC
Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC is the
nation's first wireless network created for and defined by youth. Virgin
Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and
Sprint Nextel, which operates one of the largest 100-percent digital,
nationwide PCS wireless networks in the United States. The country's first
mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile's four million
customers have access to a service portfolio that includes multiple voice
pricing options, a full range of handsets and a broad array of messaging,
music and mobile content offerings -- without long-term contracts. J.D.
Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile as America's top prepaid
wireless carrier for Customer Satisfaction Excellence and for providing "An
Outstanding Customer Service Experience" under the Certified Call Center
Program(SM).
Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 25,000 locations
nationwide with Top-Up cards available at more than 100,000 locations
nationwide. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at
http://www.virginmobileusa.com or by calling 888-322-1122.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements by and about
UTStarcom, including the foregoing statements regarding the anticipated
price of the SLICE, the expectations regarding the appeal of the SLICE to
young cell phone users, the expectations regarding the market performance
of the SLICE during the holiday season, and the anticipated dimensions,
features, battery life and functionality of the SLICE. These risk factors
include the termination of significant contracts and/or strategic
relationships, evolving product and applications standards, reduction or
delays in system deployments, changes in demand for and acceptance of the
Company's products, general adverse economic conditions, and trends and
uncertainties such as changes in government regulation and licensing
requirements. UTStarcom also refers readers to the risk factors identified
in its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(1) 2006 Virgin Mobile USA Market Segmentation Proprietary Study
SOURCE Virgin Mobile USA
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Related links:
http://www.virginmobileusa.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061010/NYTU040LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Corinne Nosal of Virgin Mobile USA,
+1-908-607-4235, corinne.nosal@virginmobileusa.com; or Alysa
McKenna of CooperKatz for Virgin Mobile USA, +1-212-455-8023,
amckenna@cooperkatz.com; or Joseph Vasquez,
jvasquez@schwartz.com, or Deb Grunbaum, dgrunbaum@schwartz.com,
both of G.S. Schwartz & Co. for UTStarcom Personal
Communications, +1-212-725-4500
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