UTStarcom Announces Contract to Supply MovingMedia 2000 All-IP CDMA Solution to MCP to Enable Wireless Communications Services at Sea
ALAMEDA, Calif., Feb. 21, 2007 - UTStarcom, Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI), a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, today announced a contract to provide its MovingMedia® 2000 all-IP CDMA network solution to Maritime Communications Partner AS (MCP), a Norway-based global maritime cellular operator and wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian network operator, Telenor ASA. The contract will enable CDMA wireless voice and data services for MCP's fleet of ferry and cruise ship customers.
"UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 solution proved to be the best technology choice to deliver reliable, high-quality CDMA wireless communications services to our worldwide maritime shipping partners," said Svein Are Folger, chief executive officer of MCP. "Utilizing UTStarcom's small, easily transportable radio base station on board the ship connected via satellite to the core network on shore, we will be able to offer our customers a suite of services, including voice, high-speed data and fax."
Today's announcement is the second nautical deployment of UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 all-IP CDMA network solution. In November 2006, UTStarcom announced a contract with Seattle-based SeaMobile, Inc., a leading provider of advanced at-sea wireless voice communications and data applications.
"This second nautical implementation of our MovingMedia 2000 solution with a major maritime cellular operator confirms the solution as one of the most cost-effective and efficient means of delivering CDMA wireless voice and data services at sea," said Jack Mar, president of the CDMA/GSM division at UTStarcom, Inc. "Our versatile, portable CDMA base station can also be used in any form of transportation, including trains and commercial airplanes, and provides transmission flexibility to the PSTN that enables significant opex saving for operators."
With a combination of CDMA2000 technology and satellite back-haul, UTStarcom's MovingMedia2000 can be deployed quickly in a range of environments, including disaster relief and military operations, where there is no existing communications infrastructure. MovingMedia2000 is also designed to provide seamless roaming in urban, suburban, rural and enterprise locations, enable high data rates and feature rich applications, and offer reduced operating expenses.
About MovingMedia® 2000
As a leading vendor of wireless infrastructure technology, UTStarcom's MovingMedia 2000 aims to provide wireless operators with a complete, all-IP solution to reap the multiple advantages of 3G networks. The solution is designed to offer a smooth migration path for CDMA2000-based providers, allowing them to utilize emerging technologies such as CDMA2000 1XEV-DO RevA as they become available. Moreover, all solution components are standards-based, providing complete interoperability with other standards-based products and allowing wireless operators to preserve their existing equipment investment.
The MovingMedia 2000 solution leverages market-proven technologies and UTStarcom's extensive experience in building IP equipment and deploying IP networks. The MovingMedia 2000 product suite utilizes UTStarcom's distributed softswitch architecture for switching, transporting, signaling, and call control. The MovingMedia 2000 product line includes a comprehensive suite of RF network elements, including base stations (BTS) and base station controllers (BSC), wireless softswitch components, and core data network components, including the packet data server node (PDSN) and home agent (HA).
About Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) MCP is the global maritime cellular operator focused on providing cost effective GSM and CDMA communications solutions specially created to fulfill the requirements of the shipping industry. MCP enables cell phone coverage by installing and operating the shipborn radio networks, linking the vessels with public networks via satellite. MCP operates its mobile services via roaming agreements with cellular operators throughout the world.
Through a partnership with MCP, the ship-owners benefit by providing a service in demand to their passengers, thus enhancing their own competitiveness. MCP works in close cooperation with customers, providing unique business models based on revenue sharing and co-investments in the vessels' operational infrastructure.
MCP is a fully recognised international cellular operator which handles all legal and regulatory challenges associated with the unique technology and service solutions that it provides to its customers. MCP is fully owned by Telenor ASA.
For more information about MCP, please visit the company's website at www.cellatsea.com.
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, Canada, China, Korea and India. UTStarcom is a FORTUNE 1000 company.
For more information about UTStarcom, please visit the company's Web site at www.utstar.com.
