Strict Technology and Service Standards in Shanghai Prove UTStarcom's
Leadership in PAS Market
ALAMEDA, Calif., June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UTStarcom, Inc.
(Nasdaq: UTSI), a global leader in IP access networking and services, today
announced that it has signed a contract valued at approximately $55 million
with China Telecom Corporation (CTC) to deploy its IP-based PAS (Personal
Access System) (iPAS(TM)) network in the central city area of Shanghai.
UTStarcom is currently the leading provider of both iPAS infrastructure and
handsets in Shanghai with approximately 70 percent market share of the
infrastructure market and more than 50 percent of the handset market.
(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031229/UTSLOGO )
"Shanghai is the largest, most advanced metropolitan city in China with
more than 20 million people. Because of its special position in China,
Shanghai practices rigorous technology and service regulations enforced by the
local operator. Over the past year, iPAS has proven to be a reliable
technology with increasing subscriber demand in the suburban areas of Shanghai
and is now ready to be deployed within the central city," said Ying Wu, chief
executive officer and chairman of UTStarcom China. "This contract to extend
service to Shanghai means PAS is available in every major market in China,
spanning more than 800 cities in 23 provinces, five autonomous regions and
four municipalities."
Shanghai Experiences Rapid iPAS Subscriber Growth
Considered by many to be the country's industrial, commercial, and
cultural capital, Shanghai is the largest and most densely populated city in
China, with a population estimated at more than 20 million people. PAS was
introduced in suburban areas of Shanghai in May 2003 and reached more than
500,000 subscribers within one year.
iPAS will offer city residents an alternative to existing cellular
services in Shanghai, where demand for affordable, high-quality wireless
communications is strong. According to Shanghai China Telecom officials, more
than 15,000 people subscribe for iPAS service each week in Shanghai now that
service has been extended to the city center. Shanghai China Telecom has set
up an aggressive marketing plan to promote the service throughout the city and
hopes to have more than one million subscribers by the end of 2004.
PAS Wireless Access Solutions
UTStarcom's wireless network solutions enable a rapid network expansion
and an easy migration from fixed to wireless networks, enabling service
providers to offer wireless voice and data services within a city or
community. Marketed as a low-cost investment option for wireless local
telephone service, the PAS system features advanced voice and data services
within a flexible network architecture that can be seamlessly integrated with
future 3G and broadband technologies. With deployments throughout Mainland
China and Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Africa, and Latin America, UTStarcom is
the leader in the worldwide PAS market.
About UTStarcom, Inc.
UTStarcom is a global leader in IP access networking solutions and
international service and support. The company sells its wireline, wireless,
optical and switching solutions to operators in both fast growth and
established telecommunications markets around the world. UTStarcom enables
its customers to rapidly deploy revenue-generating access services using their
existing infrastructure, while providing a migration path to cost-efficient
end-to-end IP networks. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda,
California, the company has research and design operations in New Jersey,
China, and India. UTStarcom is a FORTUNE 1000 company.
For more information about UTStarcom, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.utstar.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The foregoing statements regarding, without limitation, the number of
subscribers that Shanghai China Telecom hopes to have by the end of 2004,
UTStarcom's deployment of wireless technology in Shanghai and the PAS system's
ability to be seamlessly integrated with future 3G and broadband technologies
are forward-looking in nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include rapidly
changing technology, the rapidly changing nature of China's telecommunications
markets, possible delays in system deployments or product introductions,
possible downturns in the telecommunications markets of China generally and
worldwide, the termination of new contracts, partnerships or alliances, and
other uncertainties, such as changes in government regulation and licensing
requirements and economic and political stability in China generally.
UTStarcom also refers readers to the risk factors identified in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on
Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE UTStarcom, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.utstar.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031229/UTSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
investors, Chesha Kamieniecki, Senior Manager
of Investor Relations, +1-510-749-1560, or media, Andy Tennille,
Public Relations Associate, +1-510-749-1212, or
andy.tennille@utstar.com, both of UTStarcom, Inc.; or Stephanie
Gallagher of Engage PR, +1-510-748-8200, ext. 213, or
stephanie@engagepr.com, for UTStarcom, Inc.
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