Doro growth in U.S. supported by results of a new international survey from Synovate

Lund, Sweden - February 16, 2010 - Today Doro presents the findings from a new international survey*, conducted by the market research company Synovate, on the attitudes and habits of seniors using mobile phones and new technology. The survey reveals that as many as 74% of seniors in the United States have access to a mobile phone, but 29% still feel intimidated and hesitant of new technology.

 The 2000 people interviewed were all 65 or older and were a representative selection of each country's total age group. The survey reveals that the use of mobile phones is continuing to increase among seniors. Seniors in the U.S. stated that they use their mobile phone mostly to make calls (85%) and secondly for text messages (19%).

 "Many seniors experience difficulties when handling technical products due to problems relating to sight, hearing, poor mobility and indeed limited dexterity. At Doro we believe that seniors will call and use services to a much greater extent as soon as they possess a mobile phone developed with their needs in mind," says Kjell Reidar Mydske, Marketing and Sales Director at Doro.

 Just as the rest of the population, seniors differ from each other - the survey shows great differences between the countries, age groups and social background. There are interesting differences between the 65-74 and 75+ age groups.  Nearly 90% of those in the age group 65-74 have a mobile phone, while only two-thirds of those in the age group 75+ have one. There are also big differences between the countries. The elderly population in the U.S. is in the front line when it comes to having a positive attitude to new technology (65% of U.S. seniors surveyed), closely followed by Sweden (62%), Germany (62%), and the United Kingdom (44%). French seniors, on the other hand, have a more reluctant approach to new technology (39% report a positive attitude to new technology).

 Over a period of 90 years, average life expectancy in the U.S. has risen from 50-years-old to just over 78 and the senior population is therefore sharply increasing.  New technology is just one way of helping to improve our quality-of-life during senior years.

 "The long term goal when developing a range of mobile phones specifically for seniors is to improve quality of their lives and encourage social engagement - this ensures that the individual retains a support network of family and friends. Furthermore, we want to make it easy for everyone to use modern technologies." says Jérôme Arnaud, CEO of Doro.

 Doro will be at MWC - Mobile World Congress in Barcelona - for the first time from 15-18 February 2010.  Doro's gsm mobile phones are available in the U.S. through Consumer Cellular, the exclusive service provider for AARP members; Amazon.com; and Independent Living Aids.

 * The survey was conducted with nationally representative telephone interviews in each country: USA, Germany, UK, France and Sweden. The 2000 people interviewed in the survey were all 65 or older and were a representative selection of each country's total age group. The interviews were conducted by phone between January and February 2010.