Apr 03, 2008

Press Release

Panasonic Ships Over 100 million Units of Mobile Communication Terminals to Japanese Phone Carriers

Yokohama, Japan---Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd (Panasonic Mobile) announced that at the end of March this year it became the first mobile phone manufacturer to achieve a record delivery of 100 million units of mobile communication terminals to Japanese mobile phone carriers. These carriers include NTT DoCoMo, Inc., KDDI Corporation and SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp.

Panasonic Mobile, formerly known as Matsushita Communications Industrial Co., Ltd., began supplying mobile communication terminals in 1979 and delivered the first automobile-mounted cell phone, the 800MHz "TZ-801" to Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation. Panasonic Mobile reached milestones of 10 million units in June, 1997 and 50 million units in March, 2001.

Prior to the start of the automobile telephone service in December, 1979, the company shipped 100 units of the "TZ-801" that had a capacity of 6,600 cc and weighed about 7 kg. This model was followed by the first "shoulder phone" that could be detached easily from a car holder and be carried around on the caller's shoulder.

The company contributed to the development of mobile phone industry by delivering its first mobile phone "TZ-802B" in 1987, the world's smallest and lightest "mova® P" in 1991, and the digital mobile phone "mova P201 HYPER" in 1996. Weighing less than 100 g, the mova "P201 HYPER" became a big hit because of its compact, lightweight body and its user-friendly features.

Panasonic Mobile has always endeavored to develop and provide attractive products to meet our customers' needs. At the commencement of new mobile phone services such as "i-mode®" in 1999, "i-mode FeliCa® Mobile Wallet" in 2004 and the "one-segment" terrestrial digital broadcasting in 2006, Panasonic Mobile introduced these services compatible handsets.

The "FOMA® P905i" under the name of "VIERA keitai" for NTT DoCoMo has become the 100 millionth mobile terminal delivered by Panasonic Mobile.

The "FOMA® P905i" is highly appreciated by customers as it incorporates high-quality picture technologies developed by Panasonic for its "VIERA" large-screen flat-panel TVs. The phone also has a unique two way access style allowing users to choose to open the phone either vertically (for standard phone usage) or horizontally (for television viewing).

<Reference>

Transition of Japanese Mobile Phone Industry & Panasonic Mobile's Flagship Products

Year Industry / Flagship Products by Panasonic Mobile
1979 Start of the first automobile telephone service
The first automobile telephone "TZ-801" for the former Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation
1985 Establishment of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)
Liberalization of Japan's telecom industry
The first shoulder phone "TZ-802A"
1987 Start of Japan's mobile phone service
The first mobile phone "TZ-802B" for NTT
1991 Start of the NTT DoCoMo's "mova" service
The world's smallest and lightest model "mova P"
1994 Mobile Phone Sales Liberalization
1996
Digital mobile phone "mova P201 HYPER", weighing only 93g
1999 Start of the NTT DoCoMo's "i-mode" service
"Digital mova P501 HYPER" for i-mode
2001 Start of the NTT DoCoMo's 3G "FOMA" service
"FOMA P2101V"
2002
World's thinnest flip phone "move P504i"
with one push-open button  
2004 Start of the "i-mode FeliCa Mobile Wallet" Service
"mova P506iC" for i-mode FeliCa Mobile Wallet
2006 Start of "one-segment" terrestrial digital broadcasting (One-seg)
"FOMA P901iTV" for "one-segment" mobile TV
2007
"FOMA P905i" under the name of "VIERA keitai"

Transition of Panasonic Mobile's Delivery Volume of Mobile terminals up to 100 million units

"mova" "FOMA" "i-mode" are registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo Inc.
FeliCa is a non-contact IC card technology format developed by the Sony Corporation. FeliCa is a registered trademark of the Sony Corporation.
"VIERA" is trademarks or registered trademarks of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be either registered trademarks or the trademarks of their respective owners.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd., whose headquarters are based in Yokohama, Japan, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of mobile communications products. As one of the main business domains for Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand digital electronics, Panasonic has been developing cutting edge technologies since its establishment in 1958, including the world's first 3G video handset for the Japanese market in 2001. Panasonic is committed in providing added-value solutions to end-users through its mobile communication products. For more information, please visit www.panasonic.co.jp/pmc/en

Media Contacts:

Panasonic Mobile Communications
Public Relations Office
Email: kanegawa.junji@jp.panasonic.com
*The content in the following news releases is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice. Please note therefore that these documents may not always contain the most up-to-date information.

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