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UTStarcom, Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI), a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines, today announced the deployment of 150,000 lines of its mSwitch® IP-based softswitch platform and iAN-8000® Multiservice Access Node (MSAN) to PLDT for a new, next-generation network in the Philippines.

“PLDT has always been a leader in innovation. Our new, next-generation network will enable our customers to access innovative services such as VoIP and IPTV that can only be made possible through cutting-edge network technologies,” said Arvin L. Siena, head of network planning and design division at PLDT. “Using UTStarcom’s mSwitch and iAN-8000 solutions, we can reach more subscribers, offer new services, and accommodate more traffic with a more efficient and easier to manage network. This is only the beginning of the transformation of PLDT’s network to the newest, state-of-the-art telecom infrastructure that will provide a multitude of benefits to our customers.”

The first phase of the deployment targets unserved and underserved areas, key business locations and areas that need a capacity upgrade in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan and metro Manila. Additional phases of the deployment will follow in the coming months.

“PLDT is among the first operators in the world to successfully migrate its Class 5 legacy TDM-based switches to a single, all-IP softswitch platform,” said David King, senior vice president of international sales and marketing at UTStarcom, Inc. “By utilizing our mSwitch, PLDT dramatically improves the operational efficiency of its network while expanding both the array of broadband and wireless services it can offer as well as the subscribers that it can reach. With more than 200 billion minutes of IP usage on an annual basis in deployments around the world, our mSwitch serves as the IP core enabler for a multitude of integrated applications and services that will drive customer revenue and increase subscriber loyalty. ”

“Class 4 and 5 switch replacement is increasingly becoming a trend across the industry as operators around the world are currently considering their options when replacing TDM-based equipment reaching its end of life point,” said Jahangir Raina, director at iLocus. “The deployment of UTStarcom’s mSwitch next-generation technology at PLDT is a validation of UTStarcom’s leading position in the Class 5 replacement market. In 2006, iLocus estimated UTStarcom to have supported 191 billion minutes of Class 5 traffic over its mSwitch® NGN softswitch. PLDT is amongst the top-tier telecommunications service providers in the world. Having UTStarcom replace the legacy voice equipment in PLDT is a clear substantiation of the 99.999 reliability and Class 5 features offered by the mSwitch® softswitch.”

The deal represents UTStarcom’s first contract in the Philippine market and demonstrates its ongoing efforts to develop the Asia Pacific region, one of the fastest growing markets for IT and telecommunication services.

“We see increasing market demand for next-generation services and applications like IPTV and VoIP in the Asia Pacific region,” King said. “We will continue to develop the Asia Pacific market and address the growing demand for next-generation technologies with our cost-effective and flexible IP-based solutions.”

About UTStarcom, Inc.
UTStarcom is a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and international service and support. The company sells its broadband, wireless, and handset solutions to operators in both emerging 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 the United States, China, Korea and India. UTStarcom is a FORTUNE 1000 company.

For more information about UTStarcom, visit the company’s Web site at VoIP, Mobile Internet, Internet Television and Telecommunications Solutions from UTStarcom™.

About Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company
PLDT is the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines. Through its three principal business groups – fixed line, wireless and information communications technology – PLDT offers a wide range of telecommunications services across the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic backbone and fixed line, cellular and satellite network.

PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:TEL) and its American depositary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI) and the Pacific Exchange. PLDT has one of the largest market capitalizations among Philippine listed companies.