ZTE Unveils 3G ‘Evolution’ Handset with PEOPLEnet Featuring Digit Wireless’ Fastap Keypad Technology

SHENZHEN, China & BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, announced the availability of the award-winning ZTE Evolution handset through PEOPLEnet, the first national provider of third generation (3G) communications in Ukraine. The ZTE Evolution is a slim, feature-rich 3G consumer-centric flip phone. It features a dual level, multilingual Fastap keypad based on Digit Wireless’ Fastap Keypad Global Language Platform.

Via the ZTE Evolution handset, PEOPLEnet can offer an estimated 37.5 million Ukrainian speakers unparalleled access to advanced messaging and mobile data services. Mobile users will have the possibility to use the ZTE Evolution to simply and easily input text using their native language based on the Cyrillic alphabet. The Fastap keypad also includes Latin-based raised letter keys enabling easy entry of Romanized Ukrainian, Russian, English, or other Latin based languages. In addition, the ZTE 3G Evolution handset can be used by international operators for authoritative certificates and assurances to overseas markets.

Fastap enables the ZTE ‘Evolution’ to strike a perfect balance of style, form, functionality and ergonomics that should be found in all mainstream phones. Fastap empowers mainstream consumers with simply a better user experience.

“The ZTE Evolution is an innovative multilingual handset that is opening up opportunities for new mobile experiences to our customers,” said Vitaliy Vorozhbit, CEO of PEOPLEnet. “We are sure that this handset will empower our users to realize more functionality out of their phone, ultimately enabling them to enjoy the PEOPLEnet 3G mobile messaging and value added services with simplicity, efficiency and ease.”

“As 3G services continue to proliferate in emerging markets and with multiple language needs, mobile operators are demanding appealing and simple-to-use handsets that increase the use of 3G wireless data services,” said He Shiyou, senior vice president of ZTE and general manager of ZTE’s handset division. “We are confident that ZTE handsets equipped with Fastap keypad technology will help usher in 3G mobile services to millions of mobile consumers worldwide, including the Ukrainian market.”

About ZTE

ZTE is a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions. The ZTE product range is the most complete in the world - covering virtually every sector of the wireline, wireless and handset markets. The company delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to customers in more than 100 countries, helping them to achieve continued revenue growth and to shape the future of the world’s communications. ZTE commits around 10% of annual turnover to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. It is the fastest growing telecoms equipment company in the world, and is China’s only listed telecoms manufacturer, with shares publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. ZTE was the only Chinese IT and telecoms manufacturer listed in BusinessWeek 2005's Information Technology 100 and was included in its 2006 ranking of China’s Top 20 brands.

About PEOPLEnet

PEOPLEnet is the first national provider of communications of third generation (3G) in Ukraine. PEOPLEnet provides the market with the service of high-speed mobile Internet (2,4 MB/sec), high-quality voice communications and multimedia. The network now is open in six important cities of Ukraine – Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Lvov, Kharkov, Odessa, Simferopol, Donetsk, Krivoy Rog. 180 millions dollars will be invested in development of PEOPLEnet to the end of the year 2007, so provider plans to cover all national regions in Ukraine. Also PEOPLEnet will cover territory with 80% of Ukrainian people by 2009.

About Digit Wireless

Digit Wireless, the pioneer and innovator of the patented Fastap™ keypad technology, is dedicated to enhancing the usability of mobile devices, making mobile life simple. The company is working with the world’s Device Manufacturers and Mobile Operators on licensing Fastap technology to enhance functionality on any mobile device, increasing discovery, access and usability of today’s voice and data services. Digit Wireless is headquartered in Burlington, Mass. and has offices in Hong Kong, London and Seoul. For more information, please visit the company Web site at www.digitwireless.com or www.fastap.net.

About Fastap

Fastap keypad technology is a patented innovative approach to keypad design that creates simple-to-use devices that enable easier discovery, access and usage of wireless data, messaging and voice services. Fastap maintains the voice-centric functionality that customers expect while delivering enhanced functionality on any size phone. Fastap is a flexible enabling keypad design technology that can be used by device manufacturers to launch mobile devices leveraging Fastap in various implementations including Alphanumeric (Alphabetical, Semi-QWERTY and QWERTY layouts) as well as Press-to-Experience for direct one-touch discovery and access of messaging and mobile data services.

Fastap’s Global Language Platform empowers device manufacturers to offer a dual-level language keypad in over 90 languages, creating a truly global phone platform for Device Manufacturers to launch devices in key markets. Fastap keypad technology is already market proven to increase messaging by 116 percent while driving data ARPU up by 97 percent. Leveraging Fastap, Device Manufacturers and Mobile Operators will benefit from greater revenue and increased profitability.