UTStarcom Inc., listed on Nasdaq and a global leader in IP access networking and services, announced Thursday it had signed contracts valued at approximately US$41 million with China Telecom Corp. for handsets for its IP-based PAS (Personal Access System) network.

“PAS subscriber growth in China continues to be strong, though the cyclical nature of the business has shifted operator spending from new system creation to network expansion and optimization,” said Simon Le, vice president for UTStarcom China.

Approximately 58 million people currently subscribe to PAS service in China. UTStarcom is one of the leading manufacturers in China’s PAS handset market thanks to its heavy spending in research and development, strong branding and marketing efforts, bundled service offerings and overall cost reduction.

Since the end of the first quarter this year, UTStarcom has launched four new handsets and plans to have approximately 20 new PAS handset models launched by the end of the year. These new handset designs consist of both low-cost models and more advanced, multiple-function phones.

UTStarcom’s PAS solutions offer subscribers citywide wireless voice and data services at affordable price points.

The company said the PAS solution was designed to enable operators to extend their fixed-line networks with feature-rich wireless services.

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda, California, the company has research and design operations in New Jersey, China, and India.

(Shenzhen Daily September 10, 2004)