US : ZTE North America and Digit Wireless announced the global availability of the ZTE D-Series handset featuring Fastap. The ZTE D-Series is the first commercially available ZTE handset to feature Fastap keypad technology, which dramatically simplifies the text input experience. The ZTE D-Series is a fully featured 3G phone that will launch in multiple global markets, including North America, in 2007.

Featuring a sleek, appealing design, the ZTE D-Series ( see left )offers an array of advanced voice, data and multimedia applications running at extremely fast speeds via CDMA2000 EVDO. 3G mobile data services offered by the handset include mobile music/video, location-based-services, mobile TV and messaging including email, Instant Messaging, SMS, and MMS.

Over 65 percent of typical handset features and data services require some form of text entry. Using raised letter and lowered number keys in combination with error-prevention software, the Fastap keypad technology, in its alphanumeric implementation, enables ZTE D-Series users to type faster and more accurately than traditional handset keypads allow. This delivers a simplified and streamlined mobile experience, for example allowing users to send more text messages faster, and search the Web easier.

“As 3G services continue to proliferate, mobile operators are demanding handsets that are simple to use, but also offer an array of advanced features, in order to increase the use of wireless data services in a 3G environment,” said He Shiyou, senior vice president of ZTE and general manager of ZTE’s handset division. “We are confident that ZTE handsets enabled with Fastap keypad technology will help usher in 3G mobile services to millions of mobile consumers worldwide. We are excited to bring the ZTE D-Series to mobile operators worldwide – including the North American market.”

The ZTE D-Series is available globally with multiple keypad configurations. One version of the ZTE D-Series will feature the first Secret-Til-Lit Fastap™ Keypad that combines innovative use of backlighting with semi-transparent key labels. At first glance, the Fastap keypad looks like a standard 12 button phone. When in use, the Fastap keypad lights up, instantly revealing the full functionality of a full alphanumeric interface.

“Globally, mobile users will be able to take advantage of the power and simplicity of Fastap in a 3G mobile data service environment thanks to ZTE,” said Mark Connon, Chief Executive Officer of Digit Wireless. “As demonstrated by previous Fastap phone launches, mobile consumers quickly adopt the Fastap keypad technology due to its simplicity and have come to realize the full communication, information and entertainment potential of their mobile device. Fastap is market proven to drive dramatic increases in usage leading to a doubling of data ARPU experienced by the mobile operator.”

The ZTE D-Series is also the first Fastap phone complemented by Zi Corporation’s EZiType software featuring intelligent word completion, next word and phrase prediction in multiple languages, further simplifying the text input experience. The combination of interface technologies offers a simple, intuitive and personalized text entry experience across all applications and phone features. As a result, users spend less time entering text and more time enjoying mobile data services.

The Fastap keypad featured on the ZTE D-Series will allow mobile users to instantly discover, access and use entertainment, information and multimedia services and phone functions with “Hot KeyTM” access. Fastap enables mobile operators to extend the “top-deck” of its mobile data services to the physical keypad. With one-touch of up to 26 different Fastap letter keys, users can instantly access specific services (N – Navigation, M – Messaging, T – TV and more). Additionally, the ZTE D-Series features a variety of ways to communicate via voice. Calling friends and family is simple and intuitive when using the Fastap keypad for ‘letter speed dialling’ and calling vanity numbers.

The ZTE D-Series is a fully-featured sleek flip phone measuring 50mm x 90mm x 19mm and weighing in at 98 grams. The ZTE D-Series will feature:

• CDMA 1X-RTT & EVDO
• Digit Wireless’ Fastap keypad
• Zi’s eZiType Word/Phrase Prediction & Learning Engine
• Multiple Language Support
• MP3, MPEG4 Multimedia Player
• 1.3 Megapixel Camera for video capture and photos
• Sharp & Bright 2.0” TFT Internal LCD & 1” External LCD
• T-Flash Memory
• WAP 2.0
• Java
• Bluetooth
• Data Services capable of 2.4Mbps downlink and uplink of 153.6Kbps
• Polyphonic Ringtones
• Large Volume Phonebook
• gpsOne (Navigation Services)
• Support of MobileTV

ZTE D-Series 3G handsets Featuring Fastap can be found at the following locations in the CTIA Wireless 2007 Show in Orlando Florida:

• CTIA Fashion In Motion Show. Hall A within Mobile Entertainment eXpo
• ZTE Show Stand. Hall A #155
• Digit Wireless Show Stand. Hall A#2162

The ZTE D-Series Featuring Fastap will be available to operators in April. The ZTE D-Series is the first handset with Fastap coming out of a recent licensing agreement between ZTE North America and Digit Wireless. ZTE is the first Chinese company to globally license Fastap.