February 28, 2006

By: Shawnee McRoberts
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Sony Ericsson and Rogers Wireless Introduce Z500a Wireless Video Phone

Sony Ericsson and Rogers Wireless today announced the availability of the fully-loaded, customizable, and affordably-priced Sony Ericsson Z500a wireless phone. The Z500a clamshell phone sports a built-in VGA digital camera and video recorder, entertainment features such as 3D gaming and music, and colour screens inside and out. The tri-band (850/1800/1900 MHz) Z500a operates exclusively in Canada on the Rogers Wireless GSM/GPRS/EDGE network, the largest integrated wireless voice and data network in Canada, providing users with global roaming capabilities in many countries around the world.*

“Sony Ericsson’s partnership with Rogers Wireless allows us to bring the unique features of the Z500a to consumers who are searching for an affordable mobile phone that delivers all the must-have features in a sleek design,” said Urban Gillström, president of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications (USA) Inc. “This is Sony Ericsson's first EDGE-enabled phone and is the first in an exciting product portfolio line-up planned for Canadian consumers.”

The Z500a features a built-in VGA camera with 4x digital zoom that records still images and video clips with the click of a button. With Sony Ericsson’s QuickShare™ capabilities, consumers quickly send and share pictures, sounds and video easily over Rogers Wireless’ high-speed EDGE network.

The Z500a is a Class 10 EDGE device, which is the fastest EDGE solution available. The phone takes advantage of Rogers Wireless’ EDGE network to provide instant access to games and information online. EDGE, or Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution, is a 3G technology that delivers broadband-like data speeds to mobile devices. Rogers Wireless’ EDGE network is available across the country, in all major markets. As Canada’s only GSM based carrier, this high-speed EDGE network is available only to customers of Rogers.

The Z500a’s 65,536-colour internal display is ideal for viewing images or games in 3D. Even when the phone is closed, the Z500a’s external 4,096-colour display serves as a viewfinder for capturing images and can display pictures to identify callers at a glance. This cover display also allows users to read text messages without having to open the phone.

The Z500a lets consumers express themselves, whether it’s through instant messaging with friends or personalizing the phone with a variety of Style up™ covers, mobile themes and wallpapers. Subscribers can also store up to 50 MP3 ringtones or create their own with MusicDJ™. And, the Z500a synchronizes easily with a PC and has a number of organizer functions so consumers can keep up-to-date with calendar and contacts while they’re on-the-go.

”Rogers Wireless is pleased to present the Sony Ericsson Z500a – an all-in-one, affordable video phone – so more customers can capture and share spontaneous, fun moments with the people that matter most,” said Raj Doshi, Vice President, Product and Hardware Management, Rogers Wireless. “Plus, thanks to the EDGE-capability of the Z500a, customers can maximize their wireless video experience with instant data transfer and Internet access to downloadable video clips.”

The Sony Ericsson Z500a wireless phone sells for $79.99 with a three-year service agreement from Rogers Wireless and is available for purchase at Rogers Wireless dealer and retailer locations across Canada or online at www.rogers.com.

About Rogers Wireless
Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. is Canada's largest wireless voice and data communications services provider with more than 5.5 million customers and offices in Canadian cities across the country. Rogers Wireless, which operates Canada's largest integrated wireless voice and data network, providing advanced voice and wireless data solutions to customers from coast to coast, is Canada's only carrier operating on the GSM/GPRS technology platform, the world standard for wireless communications technology. Rogers Wireless is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RG), a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For further information, please visit www.rogers.com.

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Author Notes:

Shawnee McRoberts contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  An industry resource for the wireless industry featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of phones and service plans.