Pantech announced plans to introduce its new A1405PT handset to the Japanese market. The new CDMA handset, which will be rolled out to Japanese consumers via Pantech’s partnership with the Japanese telecom operator KDDI-which operates its mobile phone business under the brand name of au- will be the smallest, lightest mobile phone ever launched in Japan, weighing just 98g with a slim, compact design.

Dr. Moon S. Song, President & CEO, Pantech&Curitel Communications, Inc., said: “We have ambitious plans to grow our operations in Japan, which is one of the world’s most developed mobile phone markets. The A1405PT has the required level of advanced, cutting edge functionality and design to appeal to the sophisticated tastes of Japanese consumers."

The A1405PT model contains a number of unique features, including a stream screen, which displays text messages on the exterior LCD screen like a stream, and a security alarm, which makes a loud sound when the alarm button on the phone is pressed.

Pantech signed an agreement last August to supply third-generation CDMA mobile phones to KDDI, which is one of the top three mobile phone service providers in Japan. Under the terms of the deal - the first time that a Korean handset manufacturer has entered the Japanese market - the CDMA handsets are sold under the au and Pantech brand names.