UTStarcom (UTSI) has signed infrastructure contracts valued at approximately $67 million with China Netcom Group to expand the operator's existing IP-based PAS (Personal Access System) networks in the Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Shandong provinces; Inner Mongolia; and metropolitan Beijing.

In addition to enabling PAS connectivity in Beijing's subways, UTStarcom has also collaborated with China Telecom, China Netcom, China Mobile and China Unicom to achieve short messaging service (SMS) interoperability across the operators' networks.

In October 2004, UTStarcom was also the first vendor in the world to introduce the detachable PIM card PAS handset, which allows users to upgrade to newer PAS handset models without the hassle of having to change their phone number and losing private information stored on their existing handsets.

Field proven in one of the fastest growing telecom market in the world, UTStarcom's PAS solutions offer subscribers citywide wireless voice and data services at highly affordable prices. Using UTStarcom's IP next-generation softswitching technology, the PAS solution is designed to enable operators to extend their fixed-line networks with feature-rich wireless services, rapidly expand networks to meet increased subscriber demand, and seamlessly integrate broadband and future 3G technologies into their service portfolios.