Cellular Communications International, Inc. announces operating results for third quarter 1996.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 1996--CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Nasdaq: CCIL) ("CCII") announced today its operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996.

CCII's activities to date have focused on participating in strategic joint ventures with other companies to acquire and operate overseas cellular telephone systems. Currently, CCII's primary asset is its participation in Omnitel Pronto Italia ("OPI"), a consortium which is the second GSM cellular telephone licensee in Italy (including San Marino and Vatican City). OPI began offering commercial service in December 1995. OPI reported that it had approximately 560,000 subscribers at the end of September 1996. -0-

                                       Three Months Ended September 30
                                         1996                 1995
                                    (In thousands, except per share data)


Equity in net loss of Omnitel           $ 12,888            $ 2,280
General and administrative expenses          820              1,562
Write-off of deferred costs                    -                471
Depreciation and amortization                179                160
                                        --------           --------
Operating loss                           (13,887)            (4,473)
Interest and other, net                   (4,651)            (1,434)
Loss before income taxes and            --------           --------
      extraordinary item                  (18,538)            (5,907)
Income tax benefit                         1,200                  -
                                        --------           --------
Loss before extraordinary item           (17,338)            (5,907)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt        -              (2,268)
                                        --------           --------
Net loss                                $(17,338)           $(8,175)
                                        ========           ========
Net loss per common share:
     Loss before extraordinary item     $  (1.63)              (.58)
     Extraordinary item                        -               (.22)
                                        --------          ---------
Net loss                                $  (1.63)           $  (.80)
                                        ========          =========

Weighted average shares                   10,639             10,213
-0-


                                        Nine Months Ended September 30
                                          1996                 1995
                                    (In thousands, except per share data)


Equity in net loss of Omnitel            $ 33,673            $ 5,833
General and administrative expenses         2,382              2,999
Write-off of deferred costs                     -                694
Depreciation and amortization                 538                377
                                         --------            -------
Operating loss                            (36,593)            (9,903)

Interest and other, net                   (13,184)            (2,675)
Loss before income taxes and             --------           --------

     extraordinary item                   (49,777)           (12,578)
Income tax benefit                          1,200                 -
                                         --------           --------
Loss before extraordinary item            (48,577)           (12,578)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt         -              (2,268)
                                         --------           --------
Net loss                                 $(48,577)          $(14,846)
                                         ========           ========
Net loss per common share:
     Loss before extraordinary item      $  (4.64)             (1.24)
     Extraordinary item                         -               (.22)
                                         --------          ---------
Net loss                                 $  (4.64)          $  (1.46)
                                         ========          =========


Weighted average shares                    10,465             10,196
-0-

Discussion of Third Quarter Results

Equity in net loss of Omnitel increased to $12,888,000 from
$2,280,000 because of the increase in the net loss of Omnitel.

General and administrative expenses decreased to $820,000 from $1,562,000
primarily because, as of December 1995, CCII no longer participates in an
entity that owns one of the two GSM cellular licenses for Delhi, India, and
CCII reduced its efforts to obtain new cellular licenses.

In 1995, deferred costs of $471,000 were written-off in connection with
unsuccessful efforts to obtain licenses.

Depreciation and amortization increased to $179,000 from $160,000 as a result
of the amortization of additional costs capitalized in connection with the
investment in Omnitel.

Interest and other, net, decreased to expense of $4,651,000 from expense of
$1,434,000 primarily due to an increase in interest expense from the issuance
of the Senior Discount Notes.  Interest expense in 1995 does not include
interest of $1,754,000 which was capitalized during the three months ended
September 30, 1995.  CCII discontinued interest capitalization in December
1995 upon the commencement of OPI's operations.

The income tax benefit in 1996 of $1,200,000 is the result of net operating
loss carrybacks to 1995.

CONTACT: Cellular Communications International Inc., New York

William B. Ginsberg, President

or Stanton N. Williams, Chief Financial Officer

212/906-8480