ALAMEDA, Calif. -- UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTSI) , a global leader in IP access networking and services, today introduced the iAN-8000 (TM), a high-density, next-generation, Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN). The new platform incorporates the functionality of UTStarcom's AN-2000 IP Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (IP DSLAM) and iAN-2000 VoIP Media Gateway platform, as well as the functionality of a traditional Digital Loop Carrier (DLC).

By consolidating for the first time UTStarcom's traditionally standalone access devices into one standards-based platform, the company believes that the iAN-8000 provides operators the maximum amount of service flexibility. Consolidation may also free operators to add services and applications efficiently, without incurring additional infrastructure expenses.

"Convergence is one of the biggest trends in telecommunications, so we designed the iAN-8000 to enable converged services via one flexible, scalable, and cost-effective platform," said Chang Kao, general manager of the Broadband Strategic Business Unit of UTStarcom. "We believe the iAN-8000 is a cost-effective, efficient way for service providers to capitalize on the ever-growing audience for VoIP and broadband applications. Operators that employ leased copper lines can now easily migrate their Time Division Multiplex (TDM) voice customers to VoIP and other IP-based services such as the triple play of voice, data, and video -- all over the same lines."

The UTStarcom technologies incorporated into the iAN-8000 are robust, widely deployed, and customer tested. The AN-2000 is a leader in the IP DSLAM market. UTStarcom was recognized by Infonetics Research as the world's second-largest IP-DSLAM provider for the second quarter of 2004. The AN-2000 is also deployed as a next-generation DLC by major carriers globally. The iAN-8000 is interoperable with UTStarcom's mSwitch(TM), a market leader in next-generation softswitches. According to Infonetics Research, UTStarcom ranked second in the number of next-generation softswitch ports shipped worldwide in the second quarter of 2004. The iAN-8000 also interoperates with other softswitches.

UTStarcom Inc.