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Alltel Offers UTStarcom Pocket PC 6700, Its First Windows Mobile Device; Award-Winning Phone Features EVDO, WiFi and Bluetooth

Posted on: Monday, 21 November 2005, 12:00 CST

Alltel (NYSE: AT), owner and operator of the nation's largest wireless network, announced today the availability of its first-ever Windows Mobile-based device, the PPC6700, from UTStarcom Personal Communications, a division of UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: UTSI). Recently proclaimed an "Editor's Choice for 2005" by Laptop magazine, the PPC6700 phone is expected to be available starting Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Alltel retail stores for $479.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year service agreement.

"The PPC6700 provides users the same Windows experience they are accustomed to with their desktop PC or laptop," said Wade McGill, vice president of wireless product management for Alltel.

The PPC6700 is Alltel's first wireless device to feature Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software. With its EVDO and WiFi capabilities, the PPC6700 is intended to enable users to stay online and in touch. The PPC6700 is as cool as it is capable, featuring a unique sliding QWERTY keyboard designed to open from the side and automatically change screen orientation from portrait to landscape viewing mode. Helping customers manage emails, spreadsheets and presentations from virtually anywhere, the product is equipped with Microsoft Office programs for Windows Mobile including Outlook Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile and Word Mobile.

With Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, the PPC6700 allows viewing of several image and video formats including JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, JPG, MPEG4, H.263, WMV and ASF. It can also be used as a personal digital audio player since the device is designed to play several audio formats including MP3, WAV, WMA, MIDI and QCP. With a built-in mini USB port and mini-SD expansion card for additional memory, users are able to transfer music, photos and video from the desktop as well as load additional games and applications.

With the PPC6700, users will have a similar experience as with their Windows-based desktop PC or laptop. The Windows Mobile-based device supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for over-the-air synchronization of email and calendar information with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. With the built-in Bluetooth(R) wireless technology, users can easily connect with other Bluetooth devices seamlessly. The PPC6700 is powered by a 416 MHz Intel(R) PXA270 processor.

"Alltel subscribers will find the PPC6700 to be an achievement in design and technology innovation," said Philip Christopher, president of UTStarcom Personal Communications. "The unit meets all the business and personal application needs of the mobile user in a compact personal communications device."

"From multimedia to business applications, the Windows Mobile 5.0 software platform offers mobile information workers the flexibility needed to be more productive while on the go," said Doug Smith, group marketing manager of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "The PPC6700 helps business customers access their most critical information while enjoying the familiarity of Windows coupled with UTStarcom's innovative hardware and Alltel's extensive network."

The CDMA Pocket PC device weighs a mere 6.6 oz. with dimensions of 4.25 (h) x 2.32" (w) x 0.93" (d). In addition, it has a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera with flash and digital zoom and camcorder capabilities. With its 2.8" TFT 65K transflective LCD color display screen, images appear vivid and sharp. Included accessories are: Lithium Ion Battery 1350 mAh, AC charger, USB cable, device cradle, 2 styli pens, carrying case and stereo headset.

About Alltel

Alltel (NYSE: AT) is a customer-focused communications company with more than 15 million customers in 36 states and nearly $10 billion in annual revenues. For more information about Alltel, visit the company's Web site at www.alltel.com.

About UTStarcom Personal Communications

UTStarcom Personal Communications is changing the way the world communicates through innovative wireless technology applications that deliver practical, reliable and flexible communications solutions to improve professional productivity and enhance personal lifestyles.

UTStarcom Personal Communications (formerly Audiovox Communications Corp.) provides wireless communications devices including handsets, PocketPCs and wireless broadband modems to carriers throughout North and South America and supplies every CDMA carrier in the U.S. and Canada. The company's products are manufactured by its parent company, UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: UTSI), and by third-party original equipment manufacturers. UTStarcom Personal Communications Division is based in Hauppauge, New York, and maintains offices and support facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

UTStarcom, Inc. is a global leader in IP access networking solutions and international service and support. The company sells its wireline, wireless, optical and switching solutions to operators around the world. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda, California, the company has research and design operations in New Jersey, China, and India.

For more information about UTStarcom, visit the company's Web site at www.utstar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing statements regarding, without limitation, the anticipated price and availability of the PPC6700, the anticipated experience of PPC6700 users, the anticipated features, functionality and capabilities of the PPC6700 and the anticipated ability of the PPC6700 to meet the needs of mobile users, are forward-looking in nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include rapidly changing technology, the changing nature of the telecommunications market in general and the US market in particular, evolving product and application standards, changes or delays in product introductions and deployments, possible downturns in the US market, the termination of significant contracts, partnerships or alliances, and other uncertainties, such as changes in government regulation and licensing requirements in the United States and worldwide. UTStarcom also refers readers to the risk factors identified in its respective Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Alltel, NYSE: AT

www.alltel.com

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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