Pantech announced that it plans to showcase the brand new PG-2800 GSM �finger writing recognition phone,’ along with 31 of its other most technologically advanced and stylish handsets at the SVIAZ Expo Comm trade show in Moscow, Russia, this week.

The PG-2800 model’s keypad recognizes and processes the individual user’s writing of text messages. Consumers can either push individual keys or write letters with their fingers on the keypad when looking up words in the electronic dictionary or sending text messages.

The unique �finger writing recognition’ function allows users to avail of faster, more convenient communication and is especially useful for inputting text in Russian characters, as well as in the Chinese language.

Sung-Kyu Lee, President & CEO of Pantech & Curitel Communications, Inc., said: “We expect the unique PG-2800 handset to reinforce our credentials as a provider of attractive, stylish yet ultra-modern handsets for consumers, both in Russia and around the world”.

SVIAZ Expo Comm is one of the world’s leading technology and telecommunications trade shows and is aimed at supporting the continuing growth of the technology and telecoms sectors in Russia. Also on display at the event will be three of Pantech’s most sophisticated CDMA450 phones, specifically targeted at Russia and other eastern European markets.

Pantech has exceeded all expectations with its performance in Russia, with growth of more than 100% in sales over the last two years, and is set to expand its customer service facilities in the country. The company plans to introduce 15 new models during 2006 in Russia to further boost its market share.

In 2006, Pantech aims to achieve 27 million in unit sales and USD 4.8 billion in revenues by expanding its global markets, particularly in the U.S., Western Europe, Asia and Russia.

PG-2800 features include:

В· Intenna type clamshell

В· Finger writing recognition function

В· 90x45x18.5mm, 87.9g

В· Band: 900/1800/1900 MHz

В· Display

- Main 2.0″ 260K color TFT LCD

- Sub 1.17″ 65K color TFT LCD

В· 1.3 mega pixel camera with white balance functionality

В· MP3 player

В· Electronic dictionary

В· SMS/EMS/MMS/E-mail

В· External memory card slot

According to the latest report released by ROA Group, the number of Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (S-DMB) subscribers has reached 440,000 since the service launch in May 2005, as of February 2006, while the number of Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB) subscribers has reached 110,000 since the service launch in December 2005.

T-DMB service is offered at no charge, allowing users with DMB device to freely watch TV programs on their handsets. Based on the current number of DMB subscribers, the DMB market in Korea will grow to the amount of 136.9 billion KRW in 2006, says David Kim, chief consultant at ROA Group.

Since the commercial launch of Satellite DMB and Terrestrial DMB, a wide array of DMB devices has been released. The DMB device manufacturers are focusing on developing devices with more than two functions such as Terrestrial DMB, Satellite DMB, WiBro and HSDPA. The major manufacturers include LG, Pantech and Samsung but there are also many smaller manufacturers offering diversified devices, such as USB and PMP-type DMB devices.

The report, titled DMB Market in Korea – Service, Device and the Future, forecasts the development of Korean DMB market by covering the market environment, related issues, the development status, the outlook, and devices of Korean DMB service. In addition, the report aims to set a direction for the better environment in mobile TV service by showing the development status and outlook of the Korean DMB service to market players such as overseas communications providers, broadcasters, device vendors, contents providers, etc.

Pantech Group announced ambitious plans to build market share and increase sales in France, one of Pantech’s strategic handset markets in Europe, through aggressive brand development initiatives and supply partnerships.

At a press conference today in Paris – the company’s first official engagement with the media in France – Pantech outlined its distribution and product launch strategies for the French market, along with details of its long term brand positioning plans. The company aims to become one of the top five most popular handset brands in France by the end of 2008.

Bells Kim, General Manager, Pantech France, said: “This is a critical market for Pantech, in terms of establishing our brand in Europe and creating increased customer awareness in key European countries. By supplying handsets through major operators, we can reinforce our market growth in France and support our brand development in other markets”.

Pantech already supplies phones to shops of SFR, the second largest mobile operator in France, and has just diversified its distribution channel through a partnership with another leading mobile operator, Bouygues TГ©lГ©com. Also, Pantech is in negotiations with other operators and open market distributors to increase its sales volume.

“The French have long been renowned for their sense of good taste across a vast range of areas, from clothing and apparel to cuisine and fine wines. We believe that our focus on advanced, stylish design and innovation means that we will be able to offer a genuinely �different’ option for mobile users in France,” said Mr. Kim.

Pantech plans to actively market its clamshell PG-3500 model in France. The slim, compact, attractively designed model, to be supplied to Bouygues TГ©lГ©com, has a range of fun multimedia applications, including a 1.3 mega pixel camera, MPEG4 camcorder, and MP3 player supported by an external memory. The phone also features wireless Bluetooth technology/USB function and JAVA technology.

Pantech also plans to launch a marketing campaign to enhance its brand image in France, which will include the launch of an elegant, attention grabbing billboard campaign. The company plans to have a neon sign of its logo in the core location of Peripherique, in Paris, to be lit from June 1, 2006.

By participating in the two recent premier European technology trade shows, CeBIT 2006 and the 3GSM World Congress 2006, Pantech showed its long term commitment to not only France but the entire European market.

PG-3500 features include:

Size & weight: 92.7 x 45 x 16.8 mm, 75g

Display: Main: 1.9” 260K TFT (size: 176 x 220 pixels)

Sub: 1.2” 65K TFT (size: 96×128 pixels)

Color: Black and silver

Camera:1.3 Mega pixel with a digital 4x zoom and a built-in flash

Memory: 512/128Mb (Micro SD card slot provided)

Video recording function

Music Player, 64 Polyphonic/MP3 ringtones

Bluetooth technology

SMS/MMS/E-mail