Pantech Group, the number two mobile phone company in South Korea, today announced that it would supply its second CDMA model to the Japanese mobile carrier KDDI, starting in September. The new A1406PT handset features practical applications and a convenient design that will be targeted at middle aged and elderly mobile phone users.

The third generation CDMA mobile phone is to be rolled out in Japan through the partnership with KDDI, one of the top three mobile phone service providers in Japan, and will be sold under the Pantech and au brands, as part of an agreement worth USD110 million. au is one of Japan’s leading mobile phone brands and is owned by KDDI. Pantech expects to ship additional units of the A1406PT handset next year.

Customized for middle aged and elderly users, the model features special functions for security and convenience. Three �one touch’ keys, located under the main display, allow users to dial three different numbers quickly with one touch.

Keon C. Kim, Senior Vice President, Overseas Sales Division of Pantech, said: “The handset market in Japan is one of the most competitive and dynamic in the world, and the launch of the A1406PT looks set to give us a strong position among the growing segment of middle aged and older users. We feel that this launch underlines our advanced technology and our ability to tailor our products to meet customer demand, as well as consolidating our presence in the Japanese mobile phone market”.

The phone is equipped with a sizeable 2.4” LCD screen that shows enlarged letters and key pad buttons with larger letters. A security alarm, located on the upper folder, sounds when a button on the front of the handset is pressed in an emergency.

Other features on the A1406PT include a 1.3 mega pixel camera supporting video clip recording and viewing, MP3 ringtone, email and EZweb. Pantech plans to release the product in lighter colors, in white and pink.

Pantech signed an agreement last year to supply third-generation mobile phones to KDDI under the Pantech and au brand names, the first time that a Korean manufacturer had ever entered the Japanese handset market. The first Pantech phone – the A1405PT – has set records with sales of over 300,000 units since it was first launched last December.

The A1405PT phone was the smallest, lightest mobile phone ever to be launched in Japan, weighing just 98g. The successful launch of the phone resulted in KDDI awarding Pantech a special appreciation plaque for helping enhance the au brand in Japan. TheA1406PT has also received the �Friendly Design’ label from KDDI, which is bestowed upon models which are deemed to have outstanding usability, from design and functional perspectives.

The CDMA handset market in Japan is currently one of the world’s largest, next to the U.S., with more than 90 million mobile subscribers. Pantech plans to continue to apply its �select and focus’ regional expansion strategy to enlarge its share of the Japanese market.

A1406PT features:

- 800 single-band CDMA 1x 2000

- Dimension: 98.3 x 50.8 x 19.8mm

- Display: Main- 2.4” 260K QVGA TFT LCD (240*320 pixels)

- Sub – 1.2” 65K TFT (128*128 pixels)

- Smart mode/ Crime prevention buzzer/One-touch key pad

- 1.3M CMOS camera with flash

- EZweb/Cmail /email

- MP3 ringtone / 64 polyphonic ringtone

Finnish vendor Nokia is to expand its cdma2000 handset portfolio through a $129m (ВЈ70m) contract with Korean manufacturer Pantech & Curitel.

Under the deal, Pantech will supply two handset models to Nokia for distribution between June and December of this year. Both models will be equipped with 3G EV-DO technology. One device is known to be the 6315i, while information on the other has not yet emerged.

Since Nokia made a u-turn on its EV-DV strategy in 2004, instead opting to focus on EV-DO, the vendor has looked elsewhere to bring its EV-DO handsets to market.

Nokia’s first EV-DO handset went on sale in the US through reseller LetsTalk.com last month.

The 6305i is available on the Verizon Wireless VCAST network for $150 (ВЈ80).

Although Nokia does make CDMA devices, the 6305i is the company’s first EV-DO model, although it is a Nokia by badge only. The device is actually manufactured by Korean manufacturer SK Teletech.

Pantech Wireless and Cingular Wireless announced the introduction in North America of the Pantech C300, the world’s smallest camera flip phone in the GSM arena.

Offered in the U.S. by Cingular Wireless, the new phone is likely to strongly appeal to trend conscious U.S. consumers because of its groundbreaking compact yet stylish design. The Pantech C300 will be a cornerstone of Pantech’s strategy to increase sales and market share in North America over the coming year and is the first branded GSM handset to be launched by Pantech in the U.S.

Sung Kyu Lee, President & CEO, Pantech Wireless, Inc., said: “The launch of the C300 in the U.S. represents a huge step forward in the development of Pantech as a global brand. The U.S. is one of the most dynamic mobile markets in the world and we are excited to be working in partnership with Cingular to introduce our new and innovative handsets to American users.”

The Pantech C300 phone 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. It is equipped with a VGA camera with flash and zoom, as well as MP3 ringtones, SMS/MMS/IM client and e-mail messaging.

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 C300 features include:
VGA Camera with 4x digital zoom
Display: 1.52 inch 260K TFT
Dimension: 69 * 43 * 19.2 mm (2.72 *1.69*0.76 inches)/Weight: 70.9g
MP3 Ring tones / 64 Polyphonic ringtone
Messaging: SMS/MMS/OZ IM Client/email
Photo caller ID, Voice memo
Organizer, Speakerphone