Kyocera DuraForce Rugged Android Smartphone Joins the Nation’s Most Reliable 4G LTE Network on Nov. 7

Compatible with AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk, DuraForce Enables AT&T Business Solutions Customers to Do More in Extreme Conditions

AT&T and Kyocera Communications Inc. today announced the new Kyocera DuraForce, a rugged, waterproof, 4G LTE Android™ smartphone, will be available for purchase on Nov. 7 at att.com and AT&T business channels and on Nov. 21 in AT&T retail stores. (Photo: Business Wire)

DALLAS & SAN DIEGO--()--AT&T1 and Kyocera Communications Inc. today announced the new Kyocera DuraForce, a rugged, waterproof, 4G LTE Android™ smartphone, will be available for purchase on Nov. 7 at att.com and AT&T business channels and on Nov. 21 in AT&T retail stores.

DuraForce is the first device available at AT&T to leverage Kyocera’s strength in ruggedized, reliable mobile smartphones all on the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network,2 covering more than 300 million Americans. DuraForce will be available for $0 down at $19.95 per month on a Next 12 agreement; 3 $0 down at $16.63 per month on a Next 18 agreement;3 $49.99 with a standard two-year contract; or $389.99 with no commitment. The Military Standard 810G- and IP68-certified4 DuraForce supports AT&T’s Enhanced Push-to-Talk (EPTT) service and enables active people to do more with their smartphones—whether using them on a jobsite or taking them down the river on a rafting trip.

DuraForce is IP68-certified, meaning it is dustproof, waterproof and can be submerged in up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) of water for up to 30 minutes.4 With a reinforced housing and Military Standard 810G protection against dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, low pressure/high altitudes, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and water immersion,4 DuraForce can go more places and withstand tough environments and conditions. The DuraForce durability withstands tough treatment, as evidenced by Bear Grylls, Kyocera’s lead product tester, adventure-survivalist and star of the new series “Running Wild with Bear Grylls.” Watch Bear putting DuraForce to the ultimate test at http://youtu.be/Ou9bjDh4bm4.

“We know our customers live active lifestyles and need a smartphone that enables them to do more. They don’t want their days to come to a stop because of a drop on the jobsite or into the kitchen sink,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of Global Sales and Marketing at Kyocera Communications. “DuraForce is intended to keep people productive. Its affordability and tough-all-over durability, combined with AT&T EPTT, allows its users the freedom to work and play as hard as they want.”

With EPTT capability, DuraForce enables users to quickly and reliably connect to an individual or group with just a push of a button over 4G LTE and Wi-Fi. DuraForce is designed with a large, tactile side button that makes push-to-talk calls easy. It also comes equipped with an extra-loud speaker. The side button can be reprogrammed to access most-frequently-used apps when not used for EPTT. Users who are part of multiple talk groups can also scan and select a primary talk group to focus on the most important business process in a given moment.

“Companies depend on quick and reliable communication tools to help their employees work in fast-paced environments,” said Abhi Ingle, senior vice president, Big Data and Advanced Solutions, AT&T Mobility and Business Solutions. “AT&T Enhanced Push-to-Talk connects people faster and simplifies processes for businesses. We’ve strengthened our portfolio of handsets by offering the first Kyocera device with AT&T EPTT.”

DuraForce is available to business and government customers at $24.99.5 AT&T makes it even easier for businesses to migrate to the AT&T solution from legacy CDMA push-to-talk networks. For a limited time, AT&T offers its business customers who migrate to AT&T EPTT a $100 bill credit.6

DuraForce features the Android™ KitKat 4.4.2 operating system, a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 with 1.4GHz Quad-Core CPU and Kyocera’s Smart Sonic Receiver technology, which enhances audio clarity in noisy environments. The phone’s 16GB of on-board storage can be augmented via an external microSD™ card slot that supports cards up to 32GB. It has a high-capacity 3100mAh Lithium Ion battery that is well suited to long days on the job or on-the-go, along with a 4.5-inch 720p High Definition impact-resistant touchscreen that can be used while wearing gloves,7 with wet hands or when the screen is wet.

DuraForce also is certified for use in hazardous work environments (Hazardous Locations: Non-incendive, Class I, Division 2) where concentrations of flammable gases, vapors, or mists are not normally present in an explosive concentration but may materialize, making it an ideal smartphone for industries such as Oil Exploration and Production, Utilities, Chemical Production, Airport Refueling, Pharmaceutical/Paint Industries and Natural Gas Pipeline/Production Centers.

For more information on purchasing DuraForce, contact an AT&T business or government sales representative or visit www.att.com/DuraForce on Nov. 7 or an AT&T retail store on Nov. 21. Check out the AT&T Kyocera DuraForce video to see more.

ABOUT AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide based on offering roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at www.youtube.com/att.

ABOUT KYOCERA COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Kyocera Communications Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera wireless devices in the Americas. Designed with durability, dependability, and long-term value as priorities, Kyocera mobile phones help people feel comfortable with new technology and use it to connect, perform and outsmart life's challenges. At the heart of Kyocera's products is a belief that one size doesn't fit all and that people should do more with phones instead of being confused by them or having to alter their lifestyles to accommodate them. For more information, follow the company at facebook.com/kyoceramobile or twitter.com/kyoceramobile.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (global.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial components. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the company's consolidated net sales totaled 1.45 trillion yen (approx. $14.1 billion USD).

1AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

2Reliability based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.

3Requires 20-mth or 24-mth 0% APR installment agreement and qualifying credit and wireless service. Tax due at sale. If wireless service cancelled, device balance due. Service costs additional. Other charges and restrictions apply. AT&T Next Requirements: www.att.com/shop/wireless/next.html#fbid=mkEz9ThvDiO.

4Meets US MIL-STD-810G to withstand dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity and water immersion. Certified waterproof for IPX5, protection against water jets and IPX8, protection against water immersion in up to 6 ft (1.8 m) for 30 minutes. Phone will not operate under water and should be dried as quickly as possible when wet. To ensure that your phone is waterproof, make sure the charger/data port, audio jack and card slot covers are properly seated, with no foreign objects obstructing the seals. Shock-resistant when dropped from ≤ 4 ft onto flat surface. Device may not perform as shown in all extreme conditions.

5Must have Enhanced Push to Talk feature provisioned. Additional charges and terms and conditions apply.

6New Line Activations or Upgrade Eligible Subscribers. Offer available only through December 31, 2014. Requires two-year commitment and eligible AT&T Enhanced PTT rate plan or eligible voice rate plan plus AT&T Enhanced PTT feature. Standard contract terms and conditions apply. For full details on AT&T Enhanced PTT terms and conditions, visit www.att.com/eptt.

7Recognizes touch input while wearing gloves up to 3mm thick, the material, texture and thickness of the glove as well as how it fits your hand will impact performance. Individual results may vary.

© 2014 Kyocera. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. microSD is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC in the United States and other countries. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

Contacts

Kyocera Communications Inc.
John Chier, 858-882-3543
john.chier@kyocera.com
or
AT&T
Amanda Staley, 404-986-9001
amanda.staley@att.com
or
Echo Media Group
Sabrina Suarez, 714-573-0899 x227
sabrina@echomediaPR.com

Contacts

Kyocera Communications Inc.
John Chier, 858-882-3543
john.chier@kyocera.com
or
AT&T
Amanda Staley, 404-986-9001
amanda.staley@att.com
or
Echo Media Group
Sabrina Suarez, 714-573-0899 x227
sabrina@echomediaPR.com