Industry News

New information sites added to EZInternet, the Internet service based on the cdmaOne advanced cellular phone system

Tokyo, Japan, June 29, 1999 -- IDO Corp. has announced that nine new fun and useful information sites have been added to EZInternet, the optional Internet service based on the cdmaOne advanced cellular phone system.

With the addition of these new sites, EZInternet now offers access to a total of 102 diverse information sites.

EZInternet content is created with HDML (Handheld Device Marekup Language), a description language compatible with the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), the international standard for Internet connection via cellular phones. The primary offering of EZInternet is the optional Internet service EZAccess.

By using this service and an EZAccess specification cdmaOne handset, the user can connect to a broad genre of information sites, accessing news, financial market information and ticket reservation information to name just a few categories.

IDO Corp. intends to continue to actively broaden the range of available information sites both within Japan and overseas, making EZInternet a content-rich service.

New EZInternet Information Sites

1. Newly added information sites

Type of content	Information site		Provider offering the site
	Menu	Service contents
News - weather -sports	Weather - Season	Hanabi Select 100	Pia Digital Comunications
Entertainment	Game	Moba-O	Dennotai
	Melochaku Club	Melochaku Club	Nissho Iwai Infocom
Hobby - Lifestyle - Knowledge	Work	DIGIT student part-time work information	DIGIT
	Travel	Bargain travel information	Open Door
Financial	Credit card	NICOS Card	NICOS Card
Communication	Home page production	Mini Page	Dennotai
	Bulletin board	IKETEL I NET	Hikari Tsusin
Provider Index	HIKARI TSUSIN Applicatons	HIKARI TSUSIN Applicatons	Hikari Tsusin

2. Main features of each new site

* Hanabi Select 100 (seasonal)

A selection of 100 fireworks displays reachable from the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. The site can be searched by region and by date.

* Moba-O

Have fun playing blackjack over EZInternet. Rankings are stored on the server.

* Melochaku Club

Presentation of music offered via "Voice Request and Text Information" by the music delivery service "Melochaku Club"

* DIGIT student part-time work information

An introduction to a variety of mainly technology-related high-paying jobs for students, being offered by companies ranging from industry leaders to prominent venture firms. This site also provides information for those wishing to find employment in computer-related fields and foreign-affiliated enterprises.

* Bargain travel information

EZAccess users can access "Travel-kochan," an Internet-based search system for travel-related topics. Provides an easy way to search for package tours offered by more than 30 travel agencies, as well information on cheap plane tickets.

* NICOS Card

Check out NICOS Card promotional campaign information and a telephone service directory.

* Mini Page

Create a home page on EZInternet following simple procedures. The home page can be accessed not only from EZInternet, but also from the regular Internet.

* IKETEL I NET

Communication site offered by Hikari Tsusin. Users can exchange information via this site.

* HIKARI TSUSIN Applications

Search for delayed stock price information.

3. Date new services will become available

July 1, 1999 (planned date).

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IDO EZInternet information sites

(102 sites as of July 1, 1999)

Type of content	Information site			Provider offering the site
	Menu	Service contents
News Weather Sports	News	Nikkei News		Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper
		Asahi daily sports		Asahi Shimbun newspaper
		Topic B		Family Biz
	Weather	Weather Information		MTI
		Pia Hanabi 100 Select *		Pia Digital Communications
		Seasonal information		MTI
	Sports	Mainichi Sports News		MTI
		Pro baseball Updates		MTI
		Golf Information		Dai Nippon Printing
		Pro Baseball Fan info		Dai Nippon Printing
		J League info		Dai Nippon Printing
		Wrestling Fan info		Dai Nippon Printing
	JR Travel Navigator	JR Travel Navigator (route search, timetables)		East Japan Marketing & Communications
	Gourmet Spot	Gourmet navigation		Dai Nippon Printing
		Take-a-break cafe info		Dai Nippon Printing
	Town Spot	Tokyo/Nagoya WEEKLY		Dai Nippon Printing
		Round-the-clock party info		Dai Nippon Printing
		Boutique Hotel info		Dai Nippon Printing
		Theme Park info		Dai Nippon Printing
		Relax Spot info		Dai Nippon Printing
		Parking Guide		Dai Nippon Printing
	Events	Pia Hanabi 100 select *		Pia Digital Communications
		Yoshimoto Time Jack *		Dai Nippon Printing
	Phone number search	Public- government search		Dai Nippon Printing
		First-section company search		Dai Nippon Printing
Entertainment	Fortune telling	Love relation fortune site		Index
		Cell phone love matching		Family Biz
		Fortune 1001 nights		Nifty
		Dream interpretation		Family Biz
		Biliken Shrine		Family Biz
	Quiz	Survival Q		Family Biz
		Fun psychology test		Dai Nippon Printing
		100 person-survey quiz		Dai Nippon Printing
	Game	Mobile King-dome	King judges	Dennotai
			King deals	Dennotai
			King's challenge	Dennotai
			King's reasoning	Dennotai
			King's favorite	Dennotai
			King's BB	Dennotai
		Moba-O		Dennotai
	Melochaku Club	Melochaku Club		Nissho Iwai Infocom
Hobby Lifestyle Knowledge	Music Movies Literature	Popular TV show info		Dai Nippon Printing
		J-WAVE Info		FM Japan
		Coming movie attractions		Dai Nippon Printing
		Behind-the-scenes movie info		Dai Nippon Printing
		Culture info		Dai Nippon Printing
	Work	DIGIT student part-time info		Digit
	Travel	Bargain travel info		Open Door
		Instant cheap travel reservations *		Dai Nippon Printing
		100 trip tips		Dai Nippon Printing
	Ranking Knowledge	DIME		Shogakukan
		Rankings for everything		Dai Nippon Printing
		Ranking info		MTI
		Puchimaga		Family Biz
		Local mania		Family Biz
		Yoshimoto Time Jack *		Dai Nippon Printing
	Chance games	Guide to selecting winning Takarakuji numbers		Dai Nippon Printing
		Guide to selecting winning numbers		Dai Nippon Printing
		Prize offerings site		Dai Nippon Printing
		Places with new pachinko machines		MTI
	Beauty Lifestyle	Beauty one-point info		MTI
		Diet info		MTI
		Shopping info		MTI
		Dinner recipes		MTI
Finance	Banks	Sanwa Bank		Sanwa Bank
		Tokkai Bank		Tokkai Bank
	Credit cards	Million Card		Million Card Service
		NICOS Card		Nippon Shinhan
	Stock	Realtime stock info		MTI
		Delayed stock info		MTI
Shopping Reservations	CLUB I*s tickets	CLUB I*s ticket reservation		IDO
	Plane tickets	JAL		Japan Airlines
		ANA		All Nippon Airlines
		JAS		Japan Air System
		SKYMARK		Skymark airlines
	Phone shopping	Shopping Dial		Dai Nippon Printing
	Mail-order by phone	Mail-order dial		MTI
	Mail-order info for women	Mail-order info for women		Dai Nippon Printing
	Bargain travel	Bargain travel info *		Open Door
	Cheap travel reservations	Instant cheap travel reservations *		Dai Nippon Printing
Communication	Chat sites	Hima-chu		Family Biz
		Yasashi-sa Takuhaibin		Family Biz
		Character diagnosis how-much		Family Biz
		Net Gift		Family Biz
		Reminder		Family Biz
		Love Mail Studio		Family Biz
		Help Bank		Family Biz
	Home page production	Private Home Page		Index
		Mini page		Dennotai
	Bulletin boards	Friend arena		Nippon Enterprise
		Super Apple Town		MTI
		Free Market Bulletin Board		MTI
		IKETEL I NET		Hikari Tsusin
IDO Information	IDO Information	IDO Home Page Lite		IDO
		IDO Tokutoku Magazine		IDO
		Music information		IDO
		CLUB I*s Ticket Reservations*		IDO
		IDO Plaza SC PiPit guide		IDO
Provider Index	NiftyServe	NiftyServe		Nifty
	Tenkomori Town	Tenkomori Town		Dai Nippon Printing
	HIKARI TSUSIN Application	HIKARI TSUSIN Application		Hikari Tsushin
	Overseas Sites	InfoSpace		InfoSpace
		ABC News		ABC News
		Bloomberg		Bloomberg
		DBC		DBC
		MapQuest		MapQuest
		WeatherUndergound		WeatherUndergound
		Biztravel.com		Biztravel.com

* Contents with an asterisk (*) indicate sites located in more than one category in this table.

Press Contact:
TOKYO Public Relations Section
Yoshiaki Koshimizu [81](3) 3263.2136

SEATTLE — IDO Lab
John Martin [1](206) 322.7918

Customer Relations
IDO Customer Service Center
Domestic Toll-Free (0120) 157.160

Leap Wireless International Reports Results for Third Quarter

San Diego, Jun. 22, 1999 -- Wireless communications carrier Leap Wireless International, Inc. today reported results for its third quarter which included strong subscriber growth in both its Mexican PCS project and U.S. service, Cricket, completion of the purchase of 100% of Chilesat PCS, and commercial launch of a wireless local loop system in the Saint Petersburg region of Russia. Leap reported that total subscribers had reached approximately 42,400 throughout its holdings. Subscriber growth at Chilesat PCS was slowed in the first half of the quarter by circumstances preceding the completion of its acquisition.

Leap's domestic wireless concept, Cricket, was launched in March using ChaseTel's existing Chattanooga infrastructure. As previously reported, ChaseTel had approximately 4900 subscribers who were offered the option of converting to the Cricket service. Approximately one-half chose to convert and are included in the 8,700 subscribers using the Cricket service at the end of the quarter. This brings Cricket's total penetration in the Chattanooga market to 2.8% after only one quarter of operation. "The reported penetration rate and continued subscriber growth are confirming our belief that Cricket will change the way people communicate in their local area," said Harvey P. White, Chairman and CEO of Leap. "We believe people will come to expect mobility and the freedom it brings as part of their lives all day, everyday, wherever they choose to communicate. We are confident Cricket's "comfortable wireless" service will also be enthusiastically adopted by consumers in future markets which we have targeted for Cricket's expansion."

Cricket is operating pursuant to an agreement that provides that ChaseTel's management will control the business until Leap's pending acquisition of ChaseTel receives all necessary government approvals. Aimed at the mass consumer market, Cricket's "comfortable wireless" plan offers unlimited local calls for one low, flat monthly rate. The Cricket plan requires subscribers to purchase a phone and make monthly service payments in advance. The service includes both incoming and outgoing calls, voice mail and caller ID, and is designed to make wireless communications simple, worry-free and affordable. Leap plans to offer prepaid long distance to Cricket subscribers in early July. The expansion of the Cricket network to Nashville, Tennessee is currently underway and is expected to launch there in November of this year. "Cricket" and "comfortable wireless" are service marks of Leap Wireless International, Inc.

Pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Leap expects to acquire ChaseTel's licenses in Tennessee, AirGate's licenses in North and South Carolina, and licenses in 36 other markets in which Leap was the winning bidder in the recent FCC reauction of PCS spectrum. The 36 reauction licenses cover 11.2 million potential customers (POPs) and are to be acquired for $18.7 million, or $1.66 per POP. Leap is also considering the purchase of additional spectrum outside the auction process. Leap Wireless' application to the FCC for the acquisition of AirGate's licenses has been opposed on the grounds that Leap does not qualify as a designated entity. This designation entitles small businesses to preferential pricing and payment terms when acquiring C- and F- block spectrum. Leap believes that it qualifies as a designated entity and that it meets all FCC requirements to obtain approval for the proposed license acquisitions. The FCC has not yet issued a report and order regarding these matters. Leap advanced $3.7 million in loans to ChaseTel in the third quarter, bringing the total to $29 million, including accrued interest. If the FCC approves Leap's acquisition of ChaseTel, these loans may be converted to equity.

Leap also announced progress on the international front for the third quarter. Chilesat Telefonia Personal S.A. (Chilesat PCS), which launched commercial services in September of 1998, reported that its subscriber base rose to 30,600 during the third quarter. On April 20, 1999, Leap Wireless increased its ownership interest in Chilesat PCS from 50% to 100%. Leap Wireless' Chilean subsidiary purchased 50% of Chilesat PCS from Telex-Chile, a Chilean telecommunications company, and its affiliate, Chilesat S.A., for $28 million and a $22 million non-interest bearing note from Chilesat PCS payable in three years. Leap is currently working to re-energize Chilesat PCS by strengthening its management team and resuming consumer acquisition and marketing efforts that were temporarily suspended during the acquisition.

"We are excited about the possibilities our recent acquisition of Chilesat PCS will bring to the Chilean marketplace. Our plans now are to increase our marketing efforts and to aggressively grow the business. We want to build our commitment in Chile to be the innovative wireless carrier that customers count on for quality, integrity, and service and we see a bright future for our nationwide PCS network," continued Mr. White. Pegaso PCS, the Mexican carrier in which Leap holds approximately a 33% interest, reached almost 2800 subscribers in its first commercial market, Tijuana, at the end of the quarter. Leap's equity share of these subscribers is approximately 900. In May of 1999 Pegaso closed a working capital line of $100 million, bringing its total financial commitments to $1.1 billion in equity, working capital debt and vendor financing. This line, and equity committed to be contributed shortly, assure that Pegaso will have the funds to build and deploy the four major cities in Mexico this year. According to current plans, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City will be added to the existing system and placed into commercial service this summer. Metrosvyaz forms joint ventures with local Russian telecom operators for the financing, deployment, and operation of wireless local loop systems in the Russian Federation. In April 1999,

Metrosvyaz launched commercial service with the first of its joint ventures in the Saint Petersburg area and reports that it had reached 270 subscribers by the end of May. Metrosvyaz is also in negotiation with 25 other local telecom operators, most of whom are state owned or controlled, and plans to launch commercial service with several of these operators by year end. Leap has committed $72.5 million in working capital out of a total $175 million committed to the projects for vendor financing and working capital. Operating plans are to raise another $325 million over the next two years to build out portions of all the joint ventures under consideration.

Orrengrove Investments owns a joint venture interest in companies established to develop domestic long distance, backhaul, and broadband services such as high speed internet access for the Russian market. A recent operational failure of third party equipment used to provide satellite transmission capacity has caused the service to be rerouted using terrestrial fiber. Accordingly, Orrengrove recorded a write-down of existing satellite-related assets in the third quarter of fiscal 1999 as described below. Further network expansion plans are being evaluated. The condensed financial information for the Leap Wireless unconsolidated operating companies accounted for under the equity method is as follows: revenues for Leap Wireless operating companies for the third quarter of fiscal 99 rose to $2.9 million, a 165% increase from the prior quarter. No revenues were reported in the third quarter of 1998. Operating expenses for the Leap Wireless operating companies for the third quarter were $52.5 million, including a $16.9 million impairment loss recorded by Orrengrove and its subsidiaries due to a write-off of certain satellite related assets and a reduction to fair value of its license to carry long-distance traffic in Russia. The asset value of the license was impaired because of the loss of the satellite facilities and the current financial conditions in Russia. Operating expenses were $5.3 million in the third quarter of 1998. The significant increase in operating expenses was related primarily to increased network development activities and significant investment undertaken in the preparation and launching of network services by Leap Wireless' operating companies, primarily the Company's subsidiary in Mexico. Other expense, net was $4.7 million in the third quarter of 1999 compared to $2.0 in the third quarter of 1998. Net losses for Leap Wireless operating companies for the third quarter were $54.3 million compared to net losses of $7.2 million in the third quarter of 1998. The results of Leap's unconsolidated operating companies are, as of and for the three months ended March 31, a two-month reporting lag. Leap's share of the net losses of the operating companies was $36.2 million compared to $4.5 million in the third quarter of 1998.

Leap's general and administrative expenses increased to $6.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 1999 compared to $3.4 million for the same period in fiscal year 1998. The increase is attributable to increased staffing and business development activities related to creating a wireless operating company in the U.S. Leap's consolidated net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 99 was $42.2 million or $2.35 per share compared to a net loss of $7.9 million for the same period in 1998. These reported losses include Leap's share of the losses incurred by its operating companies and general and administrative expenses incurred directly by Leap.

Sprint Launches Advanced Wireless Service in LAredo, TX; Residents and Businesses Invited to "Make A Call On Us" and Experience Dramatic Improvements Over Cellular and Other Wireless Services

Lubbock, TX, June 21, 1999 -- Sprint ushered in a new era of wireless communication today, announcing the launch of Sprint PCS, or Personal Communication Services, for consumers and businesses in Laredo, TX. Sprint PCS is the nation's fastest growing wireless provider, offering the largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide network with service in more than 280 markets.

Sprint PCS will host a grand opening event at the newest Sprint PCS Center, located in Laredo at 201 W. Delmar Blvd., on Saturday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sprint PCS will give away several prizes, including five pairs of tickets on Southwest Airlines. Registration for the tickets will take place inside the store and drawings will be held approximately every 1 - 1/2 hours. Participants need not be present to win. The Sprint PCS grand opening will also feature live radio broadcasts, entertainment for children, drinks and snacks. For more information on the grand opening of the Sprint PCS Center, please contact Gil Lopez at (956) 728-7779.

"The clear alternative to cellular is here," said Jerry Brantley, CEO of Alamosa PCS, Sprint PCS Network Partner managing service in Laredo. "We're not just providing consumers with a better phone, we're providing them with a connection that's more clear, more affordable and more secure than conventional cellular services. We want people to experience that quality for themselves, so we're inviting them to make a free call on us at any of our Sprint PCS Centers in the area."

To celebrate the launch of Sprint PCS service in Laredo, Sprint PCS is offering a special promotion to new customers in the area. Through September 6, 1999, new customers will receive 500 anytime minutes per month for just $50 a month. The special plan includes free long distance calling from anywhere on the Sprint PCS nationwide network to anywhere in the United States. Sprint PCS is feature-rich - most plans include free voicemail, Caller ID and first incoming minute free - with no annual contracts required or hidden charges.

Under the management of Gil Lopez, the Sprint PCS Center is expected to bring 50 new jobs to the Laredo area. Additionally, the new retail center will offer Sprint PCS all-digital, wireless service, phones and accessories, as well as local Sprint telephone products and services.

"Sprint uses the most up-to-date technology to offer the best communications products and services available," said Lopez. "We're excited to assist the community of Laredo with its communication needs."

The grand opening event in Laredo marks the kick-off of Sprint PCS' expansion into several new markets in the West and Southwest regions, including El Paso, TX, and Las Cruces, NM. It also gives citizens of Laredo and the surrounding communities the opportunity to become acquainted with Sprint PCS products and services.

Local Sprint PCS Service in Laredo and other markets in the West and Southwest regions is managed by Alamosa PCS under an Affiliation Agreement with Sprint PCS.

July Marks Sprint PCS Launch of Advanced Wireless Service in Sioux Falls and Watertown, SD

Sioux Falls, SD, June 21, 1999 -- Sprint announced today it will launch Sprint PCS, or Personal Communication Services, for consumers and businesses in Sioux Falls and Watertown, SD, in July. Sprint PCS is the nation's fastest growing wireless provider, offering the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide network with service in more than 280 markets.

"The clear alternative to cellular is coming soon," said George Yineman, General Manager of Swiftel Communications, Sprint PCS Network Partner managing service in eastern South Dakota. "We're not just providing consumers with a better phone, we're providing them with a connection that is more clear, more affordable and more secure than conventional cellular services."

Yineman said plans are in place to extend the Sprint PCS coverage area to include the entire I-29 corridor between Sioux Falls and Watertown later this year. Businesses and customers will be able to choose from a wide variety of service plans, with corporate programs available.

"Sprint PCS offers call clarity similar to your home or office phone," said Yineman. "Additionally, unlike traditional cellular services, Sprint PCS is feature-rich with no annual contracts or hidden charges. As an added benefit to our customers, most service plans also include free long distance calling from anywhere on the Sprint PCS all-digital, nationwide network to anywhere in the United States."

Local Sprint PCS Service in eastern South Dakota is managed by Swiftel Communications under an Affiliation Agreement with Sprint PCS.

July Marks Sprint PCS Launch of Advanced Wireless in Brookings, SD

Brookings, SD, June 21, 1999 -- Sprint announced today it will launch Sprint PCS, or Personal Communication Services, for consumers and businesses in Brookings, SD, in July. Sprint PCS is the nation's fastest growing wireless provider, offering the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide network with service in more than 280 markets.

"The clear alternative to cellular is coming soon," said George Yineman, General Manager of Swiftel Communications, Sprint PCS Network Partner managing service in Brookings. "We're not just providing consumers with a better phone, we're providing them with a connection that is more clear, more affordable and more secure than conventional cellular services."

Yineman said plans are in place to extend the Sprint PCS coverage area to include the entire I-29 corridor between Sioux Falls and Watertown later this year. Businesses and customers will be able to choose from a wide variety of service plans, with corporate programs available.

"Sprint PCS offers call clarity similar to your home or office phone," said Yineman. "Additionally, unlike traditional cellular services, Sprint PCS is feature-rich with no annual contracts or hidden charges. As an added benefit to our customers, most service plans also include free long distance calling from anywhere on the Sprint PCS all-digital, nationwide network to anywhere in the United States."

Local Sprint PCS Service in eastern South Dakota is managed by Swiftel Communications under an Affiliation Agreement with Sprint PCS.

Sprint and Nokia Introduce New CDMA Dual-Band Phone Featuring Custom Profiles to fit a Variety of Environments and Lifestyles; Sleek, lightweight phone offers "Chameleon" colors, an internal modem for data and fax connections; and vibrating alert

Kansas City, MO, June 16, 1999 -- Sprint and Nokia today announced the availability of the Nokia 6185 PCS phone - Nokia's first CDMA-based (Code Division Multiple Access), dual-band handset. At a mere six ounces, the Nokia 6185 is the lightest dual-band phone offered by Sprint PCS, allowing callers the assurance of uninterrupted coverage in a sleek, compact package. Additionally, the Nokia 6185 features a variety of personalized profiles that enable customers to tailor phone features to specific environments, such as the outdoors or a business meeting. The phone will be available this month at Sprint PCS stores, RadioShack stores and other participating retailers in the Sprint PCS nationwide wireless network. The Nokia 6185 is packaged with an extended lithium-ion battery and AC adapter charger and has a suggested retail price of $179.99.

"As Sprint PCS continues its industry-leading momentum and record-setting wireless subscriber growth, our goal is to offer products and services that meet the needs of a variety of consumer lifestyles," said Charles Levine, chief sales and marketing officer for Sprint PCS. "The Nokia 6185 dual-band phone offers callers Sprint PCS' incredible clarity and the benefits of staying connected no matter where they travel plus a lightweight, feature-rich handset."

"The Nokia 6185 provides Sprint PCS subscribers with digital CDMA services and off-network calling, as well as exceptional call clarity," said Rich Geruson, senior vice president, USA Sales & Marketing at Nokia Mobile Phones Inc. "In addition, the Nokia 6185 combines the benefits of multiple products and offers enhanced features that reach far beyond that of traditional wireless products."

The Nokia 6185 is available in two chameleon colors that change in the light - Sky and Ocean - as well as Warm Black. As functional as it is attractive, the Nokia 6185 features a high-resolution illuminated graphical display and internal modem for PC data/fax applications. The versatile phone also allows the user to personalize phone settings for different environments and lifestyles. This feature, called "Profiles," enables fast selection of phone settings valuable in different environments, such as "Silent," "Meeting" or "Outdoor." Additionally, customers can select a silent, vibrating ringer or thirty-two ringing tones, as well as any one of six language options from the multi-lingual menu (English, French, Spanish, Portugese, Hebrew and Chinese).

The Nokia 6185 is loaded with many other feature-rich functions including four games, a calculator, calendar, alarm clock and phone book that stores up to 200 names and numbers. The Nokia 6185 is supported by a full line of optional accessories for the home, office and automobile, including a headset for easy, hands-free calls.

In digital mode, the Nokia 6185's lithium ion battery provides approximately three hours and 45 minutes of continuous talk time or 115 hours of stand-by time. In analog mode, the battery provides approximately two hours and 25 minutes of continuous talk time or 35 hours of stand-by time. Its dimensions are 5.1"H x 1.9"W x 1.2"D.

Sprint Announces Availability of the New Nokia 1900 MHz CDMA Phone - The Nokia 5170 - The Phone That Speaks Fashion

Kansas City, MO, June 16, 1999 -- Today, Nokia and Sprint announce the nationwide availability of the Nokia 5170 wireless phone. This small, lightweight phone offers five optional customer-changeable Xpress-on™ color covers and has a suggested retail price of $99.99. Now, customers can enjoy the clarity of the Sprint PCS 100-percent digital, 100-percent PCS nationwide network in more than 280 metropolitan markets, with the style of Nokia.

The Nokia 5170 speaks fashion by offering five vibrant-colored covers to suite individual tastes and needs. This phone is the first CDMA digital phone that allows consumers a true choice of color - the ability to change the entire color cover at any time. Combine this with the Navi™Key, which provides quick, one-button access to features on a large, easy-to-read five-line display screen, and a large selection of ring tunes that allow you to personalize your phone, the Nokia 5170 phone is perfect for the fashion conscious consumer.

"The Nokia 5170 is the perfect addition to Sprint PCS' already extensive line of handsets," said Charles Levine, chief sales and marketing officer for Sprint PCS. "Because of our incredible clarity and nationwide coverage, Sprint PCS is the nation's fastest growing wireless carrier. The Nokia 5170 is a perfect fit by incorporating all of Nokia's award-winning features in a fun and colorful package."

"I like the one touch control which enables consumers to activate features by simply pressing one button," said Rich Geruson, senior vice president, USA Sales & Marketing, Nokia Mobile Phones Inc. "The Nokia 5170 also has a big display screen and offers changeable face plates which are representative in the comments consumers say they prefer. The Nokia 5170 offers consumers outstanding performance and the ability to individualize their phones, all at an affordable price."

In addition to the standard color (midnight blue), consumers can purchase separately changeable face-plates available in colors such as antigua red, bermuda blue, dolphin silver, gecko green, and tango orange. This single-band phone is headset compatible and can store up to 100 phone numbers. The Nokia 5170 provides speed dialing options such as one-touch dialing for nine numbers and two-touch dialing for 90 numbers. Also, this fashion phone comes with four entertaining games, an alarm clock and support for five languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Hebrew).

The compact Nokia 5170 phone is 5.2 cubic inches and weighs 6.0 ounces with a standard 900 mAh nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery. The standard NiMH battery provides up to 2 hours of continuous talk time or up to 80 hours of stand-by time. The optional extended lithium ion battery (purchased separately) provides up to 3 hours and 45 minutes of continuous talk time or up to 115 hours of stand-by time. Silent vibrating incoming call alert is available with the purchase of an optional vibrating battery.

GTE wins PCS license for Buenos Aires; will become Argentina`s first nationwide provider of wireless telephone service

Buenos Aires -- GTE Corp. today won one of two 40 MHz Personal Communications System (PCS) wireless telephone licenses for Buenos Aires, thereby becoming the first company whose subsidiaries are licensed to provide wireless services throughout Argentina.

GTE submitted a winning bid of $301 million in the auction held by the government of Argentina. The license is expected to be awarded in late June.

The PCS license complements GTE's existing wireless licenses in Argentina and expands its coverage to the entire country. GTE has operational control of CTI Holdings, a consortium that has provided wireless service in the north and south interior regions of Argentina since 1995 and currently has approximately 700,000 customers. In addition to its wireless network, GTE and CTI recently were awarded a license for national and international long distance wireline service as well as local service beginning in November 1999.

"Our aggressive bid for the PCS license underscores our commitment to offer competitive, high-quality wireless services throughout Argentina," said Fares Salloum, GTE senior vice president-international operations.

GTE has formed a new company to construct and operate the PCS network in Buenos Aires. Service will be sold under the CTI brand. GTE currently is negotiating with CTI shareholders, including Grupo Clarin, to sell them ownership stakes in the new PCS company, subject to compliance with applicable law.

GTE's PCS network will use Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital technology, which delivers clear, static-free calls and allows more customers to use their wireless service simultaneously. Separately, CTI is upgrading by year end the major cities in its regional network from analog to CDMA technology. Customers will be able to use dual-mode handsets capable of handling both analog and digital signals to complete calls on either network.

China Unicom Licensed to Build and Operate CDMA Network in China

Hong Kong, Jun. 15, 1999 -- XINHUA - Wang Jianzhou, executive vice president of China United Telecommunications Corporation (China Unicom), said here Tuesday that his company's plan for the development of CDMA network in China has obtained supports from the Chinese government.

Speaking at the 4th CDMA World Congress, which opened Tuesday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Wang said that China Unicom has obtained a license for construction and operation of the CDMA network in China.

Wang said that the CDMA network construction will start in 1999 in China's eastern regions and some major cities in central China with the capacity of 2.6 million subscribers.

By the end of 2000, the CDMA network will reach the capacity of 10 million subscribers covering 250 cities above the county level in most provinces in eastern and central China and some major cities in the relatively underdeveloped western part of China, Wang said.

After 2001, a new capacity of 10 million subscribers will be added annually to the CDMA network and by the end of 2003 the network will reach the capacity of 40 million. The actual subscribers will amount to as many as 28 million.

China Unicom was accepted as a member of the CDMA Development Group (CDG) at the congress.

He said that the Paging Group of China Telecom is entirely consolidated into China Unicom and the company was also licensed for international long-distance telecommunication service.

Wang told representatives from some 100 member companies of the CDG from all over the world that there remain tremendous opportunities in the mobile market in China.

He said that up to April, 1999, the quantity of the fixed phone subscribers was 94.74 million with the penetration of main line of 7.44 percent, and about the mobile, there were 30.24 million subscribers with the penetration of 2.16 percent in China.

Outlining some principles for the CDMA network deployment in China, Wang said that the CDMA network to be deployed in China should be of high quality.

The new network will make full use of China Unicom's existing communication resource and infrastructure of GSM, long-distance telecom, and data communication networks, etc. in an effort to reduce the market cost, said Wang.

Providing a variety of new mobile phone functions, new products, and first-class services, China Unicom will build the best product image of CDMA, he said. The company also pays much attention to evolving the CDMA network from the 2nd generation to the 3rd Generation smoothly.

To achieve the object, further improvements are needed, Wang said.

UIM (User Identity Module) isn't available in CDMA system now and this will cause inconvenience for users to change handsets, or supplying prepaid card service, he said.

In addition, GSM subscribers can't share the supper quality service supplied by CDMA network because GSM/CDMA dual-mode handset is not available now, Wang said.

Bell Mobility Offers The World's First Tri-mode, CDMA Phone

Toronto, Ontario, Jun. 15, 1999, -- Today Bell Mobility offers PCS customers the world's first tri-mode, dual band CDMA handset, Nokia 6185. This new and exciting phone will allow our national customers to roam across Canada taking advantage of full digital service at both 1.9 GHz Digital PCS and digital service at 800 MHz. The 6185 offers text messaging capabilities, as well as support for Bell Mobility's Digital Data to Go. The Nokia 6185 features extended digital talk time of up to 4½ hours and extraordinary digital standby time of up to 7 days. The 6185 also features 32 different ring tones, vibrate alert, a calendar, a calculator and one key access to voicemail, all in a small and attractive package. The 6185 also features 6 different languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Hebrew. The Nokia 6185 will be available at all Bell Mobility, Bell World and Phone Centre locations for $199.00.

"The Nokia 6185 is an exciting first for both Bell Mobility and Nokia, it is the world's first tri-mode CDMA phone." said Charlotte Burke, Vice President Services Development of Bell Mobility. "The capability of now roaming digitally in many additional Canadian cities, along with the 6185's support for Digital Data to Go makes it an excellent choice for our Digital PCS customers."

"Bell Mobility is the first customer in Canada to take delivery of the Nokia 6185 ," said Allan Gilchrist, President of Nokia Canada. " Today's introduction of the 6185 is the product of more than a year of partnership with Bell Mobility working together to develop and bring this innovative phone to market."

Microsoft, Korea Telecom Discuss Wireless Data Services

Hong Kong, China -- Korea Telecom Freetel (KT Freetel) and Microsoft Corp. have agreed to discuss ways to develop and deploy wireless Internet and corporate data services for businesses and consumers in Korea.

The two companies plan to converse on the development of a standards-based Internet and corporate service platform based on Microsoft's products such as the Windows NT Server operating system, Microsoft Commercial Internet System (MCIS), and Microsoft Exchange.

KT Freetel is also interested in working out arrangements to provide its 3.5 million wireless subscribers with Microsoft's microbrowser technology for handsets and a customized, co-branded wireless portal.

"Microsoft believes strongly in enabling people to access their information any time and anywhere, and wireless technologies are a key part of making this vision a reality," said Thomas Koll, vice president, Network Solutions Group, Microsoft.

"Entering into this discussion with Korea Telecom Freetel is a tremendous step forward