Samsung and Verizon Wireless Deliver Market Innovation with the SCH-a790 Global Phone, the First Phone for Globe Trotters

BEDMINSTER, NJ and DALLAS — Wireless industry leaders Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) and Verizon Wireless today announced the availability of the Samsung SCH-a790 Global Phone. With this quad band global phone, the first phone to incorporate CDMA and GSM technology in the same device, Verizon Wireless customers can now use the same wireless phone and phone number in the United States and overseas on the vast Vodafone network, the world's largest mobile community. Available exclusively through Verizon Wireless, the a790 also features an integrated digital camera that allows users to snap pictures anywhere and share them with friends and family once they return to the United States.

Outside the U.S., a790 users will have peace of mind knowing their wireless service on Vodafone's network is as expansive as it is dependable, with coverage throughout Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. While in the United States, the same customers have access to Verizon Wireless' network — the nation's most reliable network — and can take advantage of a host of amenities offered by the a790, including Picture Messaging and popular Get It Now® applications, such as games, productivity tools, ringtones and entertainment applications.

The a790 boasts all the features expected from a Samsung wireless phone, including a luminous 260,000-color main screen for optimal Internet, game and picture viewing and a 65,000-color external screen ideal for picture caller ID. The intuitively designed phone also includes advanced voice recognition technology that allows consumers to use their natural voice to dial phone numbers and launch phone applications with no prior training.

"This phone is a triumph of technology that gives customers an easy, convenient way of staying in touch while they travel the world," said John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer of Verizon Wireless. "The Samsung a790 successfully bridges technologies to create a seamless way of communicating between continents. In today's global world, the Samsung a790 will rapidly become the essential tool of the successful businessperson. It is a reliable device backed by the superior networks of Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and Vodafone in other parts of the world."

"Samsung prides itself on developing innovative and feature-rich wireless phones for all consumers, including those who spend time around the world either for business or pleasure," said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president of Samsung's wireless terminals division. "With the a790, occasional travelers and road warriors alike can stay connected and productive not only at home, but from almost anywhere in the world with one phone."

The a790 uses QUALCOMM's MSM6300^TM chipset solution for global roaming between GSM and CDMA2000 1X networks. Because of the integrated chipset, Verizon Wireless customers — whether traveling in the U.S. or overseas — can use the same wireless phone and phone number to stay in touch with business contacts, friends and family.

The a790 is also Get It Now-enabled, offering Verizon Wireless customers in the United States access to the company's Get It Now virtual store with shopping aisles that include getGAMES, getTONES, getGOING, getPIX, getFUN and getMESSAGING. Applications can be downloaded over the air, without hooking up to a PC or going into a Verizon Wireless Communications Store.

Customers will pay $1.29 per minute for placing calls in most countries outside of the U.S., except if calling from Maldives, Indonesia, Sri-Lanka or Latvia where calls will cost $2.49 per minute. International Text Messaging is available in most countries and costs $0.50 to send and $0.05 to receive messages. When calling other countries from within the U.S., the standard international calling charges for most countries of $0.69 to $1.50 apply*. Domestic calls placed from within the U.S. are from the customer's monthly America's Choice^SM nationwide calling plan. TXT Messages sent and received within the U.S. are $0.10 for each message sent and $0.02 for each message received.

The Samsung a790 is available to consumers nationwide for $349.99 with a two-year customer agreement at the more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country. Business customers can contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4-BIZ.

*Per minute rates to call certain premium countries from the U.S. may be higher. Visit www.verizon.com/solutions-and-services/international-long-distance-in-us/ for a complete list of international long distance calling rates.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 40.4 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.  

About Get It Now
Get It Now from Verizon Wireless puts a virtual software store inside a wireless phone and lets customers download applications over the air and purchase them directly from their phones. Virtual shopping aisles, including getGAMES, getTONES, getGOING, getPIX, getFUN and getMESSAGING, are organized to help customers find what they want, when they want it.

About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., researches, markets and distributes wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, see STA's website at www.samsungusa.com/wireless.  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2003 parent company sales of US$36.4 billion and net income of US$5.0 billion. Employing approximately 88,000 people in 89 offices in 46 countries, the company consists of six main business units: Corporate Technology Operations, Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is the world's largest producer of color monitors, color TVs, memory chips, TFT-LCDs and VCRs. For more information, visit www.samsung.com.  

Get It Now is a registered trademark of Verizon Wireless. QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Mobile Station Modem, MSM and MSM6300 are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Global Phone Country List

Europe & Former USSR
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Germany ^
Gibraltar
Greece^
Guernsey
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland ^
Isle of Man
Italy ^
Jersey
Kosovo S
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands ^
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Slovak Republic (Slovakia)
Slovenia
Spain ^
Sweden ^

Asia & Middle East
Bahrain
Brunei
Cambodia
China
Egypt
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Jordan
Macao
Malaysia
Maldives
Oman S
Palestinian Authority
Qatar
Singapore ^
Sri Lanka
Syria S
Taiwan
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam

Africa
Botswana
Cameroon
Kenya
La Reunion
Madagascar
Malawi S
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Seychelles
South Africa
Tanzania
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia

Americas
Aruba
Bonaire
Brazil
Curacao (Dutch Antilles)
Guadeloupe (French Antilles)
French Guiana
Martinique (French Antilles)
St. Barth
St. Martin (French and Dutch Antilles)
Suriname

Australia
Australia
Fiji S
New Zealand ^

CDMA Roaming Countries
Bermuda
Canada
Dominican Republic
Israel
Mexico
Puerto Rico
South Korea
Venezuela

S indicates SMS is NOT available
^ Indicates Global Phone subscriber can send/receive SMS w/ foreign subscriber in GSM

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