Panasonic® Toughbook® CF-74 Semi-Rugged Notebooks Certified to Deliver Built-in 3G BroadbandConnect Service From Cingular

ATLANTA & SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (PCSC), the leading provider of durable, reliable wireless mobile PCs, and Cingular Wireless today announced that the semi-rugged Toughbook CF-74 notebook now features built-in support for the 3G UMTS/HSDPA BroadbandConnect Service from Cingular using Novatel Wireless' Embedded Module. In addition, Panasonic has achieved Cingular Master Dealer status. This designation enables Panasonic to directly sell and activate Cingular Wireless services for Panasonic Toughbook preferred channel partners.

The Cingular-enabled semi-rugged CF-74 joins rugged Toughbooks, the CF-29 and the industry's only rugged convertible tablet PC, the CF-18, as part of the Panasonic's portfolio of UMTS/HSDPA-enabled notebooks. With this additional certification, users will have the option for Cingular-powered mobile broadband access in more than 115 markets (with populations of more than 100,000) in over 50 metropolitan areas, as well as seamless EDGE wireless data network coverage in 13,000 additional cities and towns across the country outside those areas. Toughbooks with Cingular built-in will also have global wireless data capabilities with access to EDGE or GPRS data service in more than 115 countries.

"Toughbook customers worldwide, from field technicians to road warriors, have come to expect a high level of reliability and connectivity from their notebooks. With this certification, CF-74 users can now enjoy an even broader range of choices for high-performance wireless data capabilities," said Victoria Obenshain, director of wireless strategy, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "Panasonic pioneered embedded wireless data in notebooks and today offers the broadest portfolio of embedded wireless data solutions available."

"The certification of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 and the signing of our new Master Dealer agreement is indicative of how Cingular's valued relationship with Panasonic continues to expand," said Laura Johnson, senior director, enterprise solutions, for Cingular Wireless. "Cingular's enterprise and government customers can now purchase an end-to-end mobile broadband notebook for their mobile workforce that demands real-time access to critical information in a reliable form factor."

UMTS/HSDPA is the global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) providers with UMTS services already offered by 135 commercial networks in 57 countries, and 51 HSDPA networks. GSM is the world's most popular wireless technology, which is used by more than 2 billion subscribers in 210 countries.

The Toughbook CF-74 features the Cingular-enabled Novatel Wireless (NASDAQ: NVTL) Expedite EU730 HSDPA PCI Express Mini Card Embedded Module to give Toughbook users a top-of-the-line wireless broadband computing solution. Cingular BroadbandConnect users can access the Internet or e-mail, download large files and attachments, and run corporate business applications at broadband speeds in areas covered by UMTS/HSDPA-based BroadbandConnect. BroadbandConnect provides average download speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps), with bursts to more than one megabit per second (mbps). Cingular's EDGE network, the largest national high-speed wireless data network in the U.S., provides average download speeds of up to 135 kbps.

In addition to offering embedded access to 3G networks, The Toughbook CF-74 incorporates the Intel Centrino chipset for seamless connectivity to local networks and optional Bluetooth technology.

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 with embedded UMTS/HSDPA is available now at an estimated street price of $3,749.00. To learn more about Panasonic Toughbooks and wireless solutions, please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.

About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile workforce. The company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC). Panasonic has delivered reliable, durable mobile solutions through its Toughbook® line of notebook computers for thirteen years and has expanded the boundaries of wireless technology through a broad portfolio of products, ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength notebook computers and tablet PCs to thin and light semi-rugged notebooks. A core manufacturer, Matsushita and its subsidiaries control the entire process of design, manufacture, quality assurance, service and support. As a result, Panasonic Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in the industry. Government, industrial, and commercial usersfrom Fortune 1,000 companies to small businessesrely on solutions from Panasonic, wherever their work takes them.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic's full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling 800-662-3537 or at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.

About Cingular Wireless

Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 58.7 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover^®, the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/. Get Cingular Wireless press releases emailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/.