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).