Verizon Wireless And UTStarcom Announce New EV-DO Card

[Andy]

Verizon Wireless And UTStarcom Announce New EV-DO Card For Nation's Largest And Fastest Wireless Broadband Network
New Verizon Wireless PC 5740 Card Provides Fast and Easy Access to Wireless Broadband Network



Media Contact Info


Carlos Giron
Carlos.Giron@VerizonWireless.com
908-306-4976

Alysia Lew/Joseph Vasquez
G.S. Schwartz & Co. Inc. for UTStarcom Personal Communications
alew@schwartz.com
jvasquez@schwartz.com
212-725-4500




07/27/2005

BEDMINSTER, NJ and HAUPPAUGE, NY — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation’s largest and fastest wireless broadband network, and UTStarcom Personal Communications, a division of UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: UTSI) and a leading provider of innovative wireless devices, announced today the immediate availability of the Verizon Wireless PC 5740 wireless PC Card for use on Verizon Wireless’ Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network. With the PC 5740 Card, customers can take advantage of Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess wireless broadband service that provides access with average speeds of 400 – 700 kbps based on Verizon Wireless’ network tests in more than 50 major metropolitan markets and 57 airports in the nation.

Marketed by UTStarcom Personal Communications, the PC 5740 dual-band (800/1900 MHz) CDMA2000 1xEV-DO wireless Type II PCMCIA card allows users to connect to the BroadbandAccess network. The wireless PC Card is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP, measures 4.56” x 2.08” x 0.39” and fits into a standard PCMCIA slot.

BroadbandAccess, Verizon Wireless’ premier service for businesses, gives enterprise customers a fast and reliable connection to the Internet to help them stay in touch with the office and customers when they are traveling. BroadbandAccess also enables customers to tap into applications and tasks with their laptops that are more suited to broadband data speeds.

Because the technology platform BroadbandAccess runs on is backward compatible – a distinct advantage to using CDMA technology – customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess coverage area with the PC 5740 Card will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless’ existing 1xRTT NationalAccess network to remain connected to their customers and the office while on the road.

The PC 5740 is available for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year customer agreement; Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess wide-area wireless broadband service is available for $79.99 monthly access for unlimited use. Verizon Wireless products and services are available at more than 1,900 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, Best Buy and Circuit City stores and on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com or by calling 1-800 2 JOIN IN. To speak with a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative, business customers can call 1-800-VZW-4-BIZ.

For more information about Verizon Wireless’ products and services, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For more information about UTStarcom Personal Communications, visit http://www.utstar.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About UTStarcom Personal Communications
UTStarcom Personal Communications is changing the way the world communicates through innovative wireless technology applications that deliver practical, reliable and flexible communications solutions to improve professional productivity and enhance personal lifestyles.

UTStarcom Personal Communications (formerly Audiovox Communications Corp.) provides wireless communications devices including handsets, PocketPCs and wireless modems to carriers throughout North and South America. The company’s products are manufactured by its parent company, UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: UTSI), and by third-party original equipment manufacturers. UTStarcom Personal Communications Division is based in Hauppauge, New York, and maintains offices and support facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

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. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda, California, the company has research and design operations in the United States, China, Korea and India.

Forward-Looking Statements
The foregoing statements regarding, without limitation, the anticipated ease and speed with which laptop users may make wireless connections using the PC 5740, the ability of the PC 5740 to provide full functionality combined with mobility and the anticipated pricing and service terms of the PC 5740, 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 changing nature of the telecommunications market in general and the wireless market in particular, the possibility of slower than expected growth in the telecommunications markets, evolving product and application standards, changes or delays in product introductions and deployments (including, but not limited to, the introduction of the PC 5740), the termination or material amendment of significant contracts, partnerships or alliances, including those with Verizon Wireless, and other uncertainties, such as changes in government regulation and licensing requirements in relevant markets. 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.


http://news.vzw.com/news/2005/07/pr2005-07-27.html

[NYCDru]

UT Starcom/Audiovox is making ALOT of Data cards for VZW.

Any idea how they came to be so prominant in this area? Anybody?

[agentHibby]

I think their handsets since buying Audiovox has went down the tubes.
Audiovox 9900 was the last good phone that was made. I don't know of any phone that UTStarcom has made that has sold well. Sounds like that EV-DO phone flopped.

So I think they are strong into aircards and maybe PDA/smartphones as well.

[NYCDru]

Audiovox Branded Toshiba, Huyndai/Curicel, and UT starcom phones.

The 9900 is a TOSHIBA thank you very much.