T-Mobile USA launches Katalyst, a new UMA phones from Samsung

DALLAS & BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE [1])--Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile), today announced the availability of the new Samsung Katalystâ„¢(a). The Katalyst adds a stylish, slider design to the growing line-up of phones that support T-Mobile HotSpot @Home^SM service.

With built-in support for T-Mobile HotSpot @Home, the Samsung Katalyst provides customers with great wireless coverage when placing calls over a home Wi-Fi network and at nearly 8,500 T-Mobile® HotSpot locations nationwide. When customers leave home or a T-Mobile HotSpot, their calls are passed onto T-Mobile’s wireless network, and the same is true for passing calls from T-Mobile’s network onto Wi-Fi networks. In addition, with the purchase of a HotSpot @Home add-on plan, customers can enjoy the freedom of unlimited, nationwide calling over Wi-Fi.(b)

Available exclusively from T-Mobile, the Katalyst features a sleek, slider design with a sophisticated metallic silver finish and is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth^{®} wireless technology and a 1.3 megapixel camera. The Katalyst also features advanced messaging capabilities including instant messaging, which enables instant chat and supports AOL^{®}, ICQ, Yahoo!^{®} and Windows Live™ Messenger.

“Since launching T-Mobile HotSpot @Home in June, we’ve worked closely with companies like Samsung to expand our selection of HotSpot phones,” said Saj Sahay, director of product marketing, T-Mobile USA. “The Samsung Katalyst strikes a great balance of style and features with an affordable price, and gives customers who want the calling benefits of HotSpot @Home a great new handset choice.”

“The Katalyst is the next-generation Samsung device to support T-Mobile HotSpot @Home that delivers great features in a sleek, slide form factor,” said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president, Samsung. “Samsung is proud to work closely with T-Mobile to introduce handsets that enhance consumers’ mobile experience.”

Key features of the Katalyst include:

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Wi-Fi-enabled phone; supports T-Mobile HotSpot @Home

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T-Mobile myFaves(SM) enabled(b)

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Bluetooth(R) wireless technology

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Music player

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Expandable memory (microSD memory card)

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Speaker-independent voice recognition

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Advanced messaging capabilities

 
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(SMS, EMS, MMS)

 
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Instant messaging (AOL(R), ICQ, Yahoo!(R) and Windows Live(TM) Messenger)

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Compatible with T-Mobile Address Book

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GSM/GPRS/EDGE

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Quad-Band: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz

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Dimensions: 3.97" x 1.98" x .65"

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Weight: 4.1 ounces (with standard battery)

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Main Display: 176 x 220 pixels, TFT, 262K

The Katalyst is available exclusively through T-Mobile at select retail stores and online at www.t-mobile.com [2]. For more information, visit www.t-mobile.com [2] or www.samsungmobileusa.com [3].

(a)Model number SGH-t739

(b)With HotSpot @Home service, regular plan minutes are used when call does not originate on Wi-Fi network. Use of some device features incurs separate, additional charges, and use of myFaves requires a T-Mobile myFaves rate plan. See t-mobile.com for more information.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com [4].

About Samsung

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com [5].

About T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc., is a member of the T-Mobile International group, one of the world’s leading companies in mobile communications, and the mobile telecommunications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. By the end of the third quarter of 2007, approximately 114 million mobile customers were served by the mobile segment of the Deutsche Telekom group—nearly 28 million by T-Mobile USA—all via a common technology platform based on GSM, the world’s most widely used digital wireless standard. T-Mobile’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect effortlessly to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile highest, in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care. For more information, please visit www.t-mobile.com [2]. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG.