ALAMEDA, Calif., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UTStarcom, Inc. , a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, today announced that it has signed a contract with Markwell Industrial Co., Ltd. to deploy its industry-leading RollingStream(TM) end-to-end IPTV solution in Taiwan.
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Markwell, a provider of cable, content and Internet services -- including co-location, virtual hosting, security monitoring, education training, and online shopping -- will utilize the end-to-end RollingStream system to deploy IPTV-enabled triple play services throughout Taiwan.
"UTStarcom's RollingStream IPTV solution is a field-proven platform for the delivery of IP-based television services as well as a comprehensive host of converged communication and entertainment applications that today's generation of Internet-savvy subscribers demand," said Richard Lai, chairman and chief executive officer at Markwell Industrial Co., Ltd. "We are currently in discussions with a number of cable operators in Taiwan who are interested in complementing their existing offering with IPTV-enabled services, and we anticipate surpassing more than one million IPTV subscribers in the country by 2009."
UTStarcom's RollingStream system currently supports more than 600,000 live IPTV subscribers globally and maintains a current total system capacity of more than one million subscribers as a result of recent successful deployments in China with China Netcom and China Telecom, in India with Bharti Airtel and MTNL/Aksh, in Japan with Softbank and in Latin America with Brasil Telecom.
"Despite competition from the incumbent cable operators, we expect the additional value-added applications enabled by IPTV will make it a success in Taiwan," said David King, senior vice president of sales, marketing and service for UTStarcom, Inc. "By coupling IPTV service with Video-on-Demand, Voice-over-IP and high-speed Internet access, telecom operators around the world are opening up new revenue streams not previously accessible and enhancing their ability to retain subscribers in a highly competitive landscape."
The Markwell contract includes system capacity for 500,000 RollingStream IPTV subscribers and 20,000 set-top boxes initially. Markwell plans to deploy an additional 480,000 RollingStream set-top boxes over the next two years.
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 development operations in the United States, Canada, China, Korea and India. For more information about UTStarcom, visit the company's Web site at http://www.utstar.com/.
About Markwell Industrial Co., Ltd.
Markwell Industrial Co., Ltd. was established in 1992 as a global telecommunications corporation. Based in Taiwan, Markwell delivers core communications and entertainment services to consumers throughout Asia with its cable and Internet content and technology solutions. The company recently received a Golden Award from the Taiwan government in recognition of their FTTH services. For more information on the company, please visit http://www.markwell.com.tw/.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding UTStarcom's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and including, without limitation, the anticipated growth in demand for IPTV in Taiwan; the rapidly changing nature of IPTV and other technology: the rapidly changing nature of the telecommunications market in Taiwan; possible delays in system deployments or product introductions; the termination of new contracts, partnerships or alliances; and changes in government regulation and licensing requirements in Taiwan.
All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to UTStarcom as of the date hereof, and UTStarcom assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and other risks relating to UTStarcom's business are set forth in the documents filed by UTStarcom with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments thereto.
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