UTStarcom Launches the SkyFlux UAR Disaggregated Router Platform

UTStarcom (“UTStarcom” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ:UTSI), a global telecommunications infrastructure provider, today announced its newest platform, the SkyFlux UAR Disaggregated Router. The platform applies the network disaggregation concept onto carrier-grade modular redundant router platforms optimized for telecommunications networks, resulting in an open, flexible, and future-proof solution that can meet the requirements of telecom applications such as 5G backhaul/midhaul, broadband aggregation, metro access and aggregation networks.

The network disaggregation concept offers many potential benefits to telecommunication network operators:

• An open and competitive ecosystem that speeds up evolution and drives prices down
• A software-centric nature that enables faster innovation and supports the flexibility to quickly adopt functionality needed by network operators
• Eliminates vendor lock-in through the rich ecosystem of compatible components, both commercial and open-source
• Provides a variety of hardware and software options from which to select, enabling the integration of best-of-breed platforms, products, and components
• Promotes an active role for a network operator in the product life cycle
• Offers the potential for cost reduction of network infrastructure

The SkyFlux UAR Disaggregated Router platform combines the strengths, flexibility, and low TCO benefits of modular chassis-based hardware platforms with all the advantages of the software-centric network disaggregation paradigm. The initial release of the platform includes 3 chassis-based modular disaggregated routers (SkyFlux UAR400A-04X, SkyFlux UAR500A-08X, and SkyFlux UAR500B-12X) and the SkyFlux NOS Network Operating System. The SkyFlux UAR Disaggregated Router platform components can be integrated to work together, or can be used separately for integration with compatible third party commercial or open-source components.

The highlights of UTStarcom’s solution include:

• A unique combination of advanced carrier-grade chassis-based redundant hardware platforms with all the benefits of the disaggregation paradigm
• Telco-focused hardware design featuring the Broadcom DNX chip, multi-core x86 CPU, hardware support for high-accuracy PTP/SyncE, Segment Routing, MPLS, FlexE, redundancy, a variety of interfaces, modular chassis flexibility and scalability
• Choice of UT’s own SkyFlux NOS (Network Operating System) or third party NOS platforms. Packaged with hardware drivers for the porting of a third party NOS and pre-loaded with Open Network Install Environment (ONIE)
• Flexibility to meet all integration scenarios: a complete solution with UT’s carrier-grade HW, NOS, and SDN controller, or open integration with third party components
• Customization of hardware and software platforms to meet operators’ requirements.

Mr. Li Hua, UTStarcom’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Network disaggregation with its potential to transform the industry and to open many new technological and business opportunities to both operators and suppliers, is one of the key strategic focus areas for UTStarcom now. As a leading global telecommunications infrastructure provider, we have been actively working with our customers (including major telecom network operators) on network disaggregation technologies, providing product development and integration services. We are excited to announce our own disaggregated network platform, which leverages our expertise in both integrated and disaggregated networking platforms for the telecom market. This release should further strengthen our position in this dynamic market, particularly as applied to 5G transport networks.”

UTStarcom’s Vice President of Optical Network Systems R&D, Ms. Lingrong Lu said: “Network disaggregation has many benefits and is very attractive to network operators. When designing their networks, telecom operators keep high standards, and expect platforms with carrier-grade quality and reliability, advanced hardware features such as redundancy, deep packet buffer, accurate synchronization support in hardware, and a variety of interfaces, as well as support of the latest networking technologies. Operators require this whether they are evaluating a fully integrated or a disaggregated network solution. Our newest SkyFlux UAR Disaggregated Router platform was designed with this idea in mind, to deliver a truly carrier-grade solution with the benefits of network disaggregation to our customers.”

About UTStarcom Holdings Corp.

UTStarcom is committed to helping network operators offer their customers the most innovative, reliable and cost-effective communication services. UTStarcom offers high performance advanced equipment optimized for the most rapidly growing network functions, such as mobile backhaul, metro aggregation and broadband access. UTStarcom has operations and customers around the world, with a special focus on Japan and India. UTStarcom was founded in 1991 and listed its shares on the Nasdaq Market in 2000 (symbol: UTSI). For more information about UTStarcom, please visit http://www.utstar.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

UTStarcom Holdings Corp.Tel: [phone]Ms. Shelley Jiang, Investor RelationsEmail: [e-mail] / [e-mail] 

The Blueshirt GroupMr. Gary DvorchakEmail: [e-mail]