BANGALORE, INDIA: UTStarcom Inc. has signed a new contract with Aksh Optifibre Ltd that expands the operator's deployment of the industry-leading RollingStream Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) solution. UTStarcom's second deal with Aksh demonstrates the company's continued commitment to building and delivering IPTV capabilities throughout India.
 
Aksh originally selected UTStarcom in early 2007 to deliver the first commercial IPTV service in India through Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) in Delhi. The current contract helps Aksh extend its reach and deliver the same high-quality IPTV services to subscribers of MTNL in Mumbai, India. 

Aksh announced the launch of its IPTV and VoIP services in Mumbai on the MTNL network in March 2008, as an expansion to the initial launch of these services on the MTNL Delhi network in July 2007. 

One of India's leading optical fibre cable manufacturers and one of the first companies in India to set up its own fibre optic manufacturing units, Aksh is delivering next-generation telecommunications services in the fast-growing India market. 

"UTStarcom's RollingStream IPTV solution is a completely IP-based platform that will enable better delivery of the interactive entertainment services we plan to extend to our customers," said Dr. Kailash S. Choudhari, managing director at Aksh Optifibre Ltd. "Innovation brings progress and Aksh understands the importance of maintaining cutting-edge technology as India embarks on pivotal IPTV growth. Our relationship with UTStarcom to bring the first IPTV service to India led that innovation, and now we are hoping to bring those high-quality entertainment services to more subscribers."

UTStarcom's RollingStream end-to-end IPTV system supports more than 850,000 live IPTV subscribers globally. The system maintains a current total system capacity exceeding 2.5 million subscribers as a result of recent successful deployments in China with China Netcom and China Telecom, in India with Bharti Airtel, MTNL/Aksh and United Telecoms Limited, in Sri Lanka with SLT, in Japan with Softbank, in Latin America with Brasil Telecom, in Taiwan with Markwell and in Europe with Jersey Telecom.

UTStarcom was recently recognized with two award distinctions for the company's IPTV and broadband work and advancement in India. VARIndia named UTStarcom this year's "Most Trusted Company" in India in the areas of broadband and IPTV leadership. UTStarcom also received an "Excellence in Telecom Services and Solutions" award from the Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association (TEMA) in India for the company's innovation in IPTV, broadband and NGN and its direct impact on India's telecom market growth.

"IPTV is building steady momentum in India and UTStarcom's understanding of the growing environment gives us a market advantage," said Vijay Yadav, vice president and managing director, South Asia operations, UTStarcom. "UTStarcom's relationship with Aksh will assist the operator in bringing more IPTV-based services to its customers, increasing revenue opportunities and maintaining its leadership position in India."