MetroPCS Community Scholars Awards More Than $230,000 in College Scholarships to Outstanding High School Seniors Nationwide

DALLAS and SAN DIEGO, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS), the nation's leading provider of unlimited, flat-rate, no signed contract wireless communications service, and Kyocera Communications Inc., provider of Kyocera- and Sanyo-branded wireless devices, have announced the 2010 MetroPCS Community Scholars winners. MetroPCS' Community Scholars Program provides $2,500 college scholarships and one $25,000 grand prize scholarship to 83 high school seniors nationwide who plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at accredited two- or four-year colleges or universities.

This year's $25,000 grand-prize winner is Zachary Petzold of Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, California. Zach is planning to attend California State University, Sacramento, majoring in Political Science and International Relations. Throughout his high school career, Zach has demonstrated his commitment to the local community by serving as a leader among his peers in the Boy Scouts of America, a local soccer referee and a frequent volunteer with a variety of community organizations. He aspires to a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Other winners will attend top universities such as Stanford, Harvard and Columbia. In addition to the scholarships, all of the students will receive a Kyocera Laylo phone with one year of free MetroPCS Wireless for All service.

The MetroPCS Community Scholars Program was founded by MetroPCS to encourage high school students to become involved in volunteer activities that give back to their communities, and to help young people pay for a college education. Since its inception in 2003, the program has distributed more than $8 million in scholarships to more than 650 students.

"It gives us great pride recognize these exceptional high school seniors through the MetroPCS Community Scholars Program, "said Phil Terry, senior vice president of corporate marketing for MetroPCS. "Through the scholarship program, our goal is to support the efforts and further the education of these accomplished young citizens."

Scholarship recipients are chosen based on demonstrating exceptional involvement in volunteerism and community service, in addition to academics, participation in school activities, honors received and work experience.

"We are thrilled to partner with MetroPCS to honor and support these outstanding young citizens," said Eric Anderson, vice president of sales at Kyocera Communications, Inc. "It is our privilege to reward the hard work, academic achievements and continued community involvement of these promising students."  

About MetroPCS Communications, Inc.

Dallas-based MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) is a provider of unlimited wireless communications service for a flat rate with no signed contract. MetroPCS is the fifth largest facilities-based wireless carrier in the United States based on number of subscribers served and has access to licenses covering a population of approximately 144 million people in many of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.  As of December 31, 2009, MetroPCS had over 6.6 million subscribers. For more information, please visit www.metropcs.com.

Wireless for All is a registered service mark of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.  All rights reserved.

About Kyocera Communications, Inc.

Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI) is the headquarters for Kyocera- and Sanyo-branded wireless products and accessories in the Americas. The company's devices are driving the convergence of telecommunications, broadband and multimedia. KCI was formed in April 2009 through the combination of Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Sanyo Telecommunications Inc., two wholly owned subsidiaries of Kyocera International Inc.  The former was created when Kyocera purchased QUALCOMM Incorporated's consumer wireless phone business in 2000, while the latter was formed when Kyocera purchased the wireless phone business of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. in 2008. Based in San Diego, KCI leverages Japan's history of creating advanced consumer technologies around humanism and respect for the environment and blending them with a Western entrepreneurialism and style, resulting in a unique design language and a natural, user-friendly interface. For more information, please visit www.kyocera-wireless.com.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE: KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, office-document imaging equipment, solar power generating systems, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the company's net sales totaled 1.13 trillion yen (approximately US$11.5 billion). Kyocera marks its 50th anniversary in 2009, and the 40th anniversary of its U.S. operations. It is ranked #418 on Forbes magazine's 2009 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.

SOURCE MetroPCS Communications, Inc.