UTSTARCOM HOLDINGS CORP. - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission File Number: 000-29661

UTSTARCOM, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

         The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $580,658,573 based upon the closing price of $5.61 reported for such date on The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC. For purposes of this disclosure, shares of Common Stock held by persons who hold more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and shares held by officers and directors of the registrant, have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination is not necessarily conclusive for other purposes.

         As of February 18, 2008, the registrant had 123,468,496 outstanding shares of Common Stock.

         DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to the stockholders in connection with its Annual meeting of Stockholders, which Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC no later than April 30, 2008, are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

UTSTARCOM, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        UTStarcom (which may be referred to as the Company, we, us, or our) means UTStarcom, Inc. or UTStarcom, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as the context requires. The name UTStarcom is a registered trademark of UTStarcom, Inc.

        In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to and statements regarding China refer to mainland China, references to U.S. dollars or $ are to United States Dollars, and references to Renminbi are to Renminbi, the legal currency of China.

        Unless specifically stated, information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K assumes an exchange rate of 7.29 Renminbi for one U.S. dollar, the exchange rate in effect as of December 31, 2007.

        Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K we may incorporate by reference certain information from other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Please refer to such information at www.sec.gov.

        UTStarcom's public filings, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to such reports, are available free of charge at our website, www.utstar.com. The information contained on our website is not being incorporated herein.

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. Beginning on page 18 we discuss some of the risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those provided in the forward-looking statements.

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PART I

ITEM 1—BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

        We design, manufacture and sell telecommunications infrastructure, handsets and customer premise equipment. We also provide services associated with the installation, operation and maintenance of our products which are sold primarily to telecommunications service providers or operators. Our core focus is Next Generation Network ("NGN"), Broadband and IPTV solutions. We sell a range of focused products that are designed to enable voice, high speed data and IP-enabled television services for our operator customers and their subscribers around the world. While historically the majority of our sales have been to service providers in China, we have expanded our focus to build a significant presence in many global markets and currently sell our products in both established and emerging growth markets, which include North America, Japan, India, the Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast and North Asia.

        UTStarcom was incorporated in Delaware in 1991. Our headquarters are based in Alameda, California, with research and design operations in the United States, Canada, China, India and Korea. Our primary mailing address is 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, California 94502. We can be reached by telephone at (510) 864-8800 and our website address is www.utstar.com. All of our SEC filings can be found under the Investor Relations section of our website or at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and are available free of charge. The information contained on our website is not being incorporated by reference herein.

OUR OBJECTIVE

        Our objective is to be a leading global provider of Internet Protocol ("IP") -based communications products and services. We seek to differentiate ourselves by developing innovative, first-to-market products that transform the way people communicate. Our products are designed to integrate multiple functionalities and deliver multiple revenue-generating services on a single technology platform, reduce network complexity and enable a migration to a new generation of network technologies. Our products and software are designed to make carrier deployments, maintenance and upgrades both economical and efficient, allowing operators to earn a high return on their investment while reducing subscriber churn and increasing average revenue per subscriber.

OUR STRATEGY

        Because our products are IP-based, our customers can more easily integrate our products with other industry standard hardware and software. Additionally, we believe we can introduce new features and enhancements that can be cost-effectively added to our customers' existing networks. IP-based devices can be changed or upgraded in modules, saving our customers the expense of replacing their entire system installation. Our strategy is built upon the following key concepts:

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identify key technology shifts and trends before our competitors;



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develop differentiated products, which are designed to offer new and innovative revenue-generating features and enhanced functionality for our customers;



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reduce overall operational and deployment costs of our customers' networks, enabling them to meet the demands of a greater number of consumers by expanding their addressable markets; and



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develop tailored products and services to suit customers' current needs and to anticipate future needs.

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        In September 2007, we announced the results of an in-depth strategic analysis of the Company undertaken by the management team with the aim of defining a new corporate strategy and making UTStarcom an even stronger global competitor.

        Our current strategy is to focus on the key segments of the IP technology market which we have identified as having the greatest potential for profitable growth. Specifically, our strategy is to:

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Invest our R&D resources in select IP-based technologies where we believe we can create unique end-to-end solutions that will deliver strong market share and create value for our customers;



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Drive revenue from this technology in select core geographic markets where there is high acceptance of the disruptive shift to IP technologies and where we have established credibility with customers; and



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Supplement revenue outside of core markets by using regional technology and sales partners in areas where we can leverage their strong customer relationships.

KEY STRENGTHS

        Our key strength in the implementation of our strategy is our focus on the development of new, innovative communications technologies and products that are designed to differentiate us from our peers and create new market opportunities for our carrier customers. For example, we helped create a new market for wireless telephony in China based upon the development of our Personal Access Service and IP-based Personal Access Service (collectively "PAS") products offering a low-power, low-cost alternative to traditional mobile telephony. We believe PAS became successful with traditional wireline carriers because it enabled them to build upon their existing fixed-line networks to offer their consumers wireless mobile services. This service, while limited in range to each specific city or region in which it was offered, afforded a low-cost alternative to more expensive traditional cellular services. The rapid rate of adoption for PAS positioned us as one of the leading wireless infrastructure and handset providers in China and to date over 52 million subscribers are using services supported by our technology.

        Over the course of several years, we have built an extensive administrative, research and development, manufacturing, and sales and support infrastructure in China. We believe this infrastructure allows us to focus our engineering, product development and sales and marketing efforts to quickly identify and address our customers' needs. In addition, our low-cost research and development and manufacturing capabilities in China allow us to be competitive on a cost and pricing basis for our products. Finally, by virtue of its large population, lack of legacy infrastructure hurdles and our significant customer deployments, the China market provides a highly conducive platform for us to deploy our most advanced technology in substantial volume. We believe that our infrastructure, cost efficiencies, and research and development advances in China provide a significant platform and strategic advantage for our global success.

MARKETS AND CUSTOMERS

        Our products and services are being deployed and implemented in regions throughout the world in markets including China, Japan, India, the Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, Africa, North America, Asia and the Middle East. With the acquisition of selected assets from Audiovox Corporation in November 2004, the United States became our single largest market, representing 67%, 55% and 46% of net sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. China is now our second largest market, representing 23%, 32% and 30% of our net sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Additional markets and customer information is included in the discussion of business segments below.

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Global Customers

        Our customers, typically telecommunications service providers, enable delivery of wireless and broadband access services including data, voice, and/or television to their subscribers. They include, but are not limited to, local, regional, national and international telecommunications carriers, including broadband, cable, Internet, wireline and wireless providers. Telecommunications service providers typically require extensive proposal review, product certification, test and evaluation and network design, and, in most cases, are associated with long sales cycles. Our customers' networking requirements are influenced by numerous variables, including their size, the number and types of subscribers that they serve, the relative teledensity of the geography served, their subscriber demand for IP communications and access services in the served geography.

Competition

        We compete in the telecommunications equipment market, providing infrastructure products, consumer products and services for transporting data, voice and television traffic across traditional and IP-based networks.

        As we expand into new markets, we will face competition from both existing and new competitors, including existing companies with stronger financial resources and technological, marketing and sales positions.

        We believe our competitive strengths are derived from three main factors: our early entry and commitment to the development of all IP-based communications technologies; our experience in high-volume, low-cost manufacturing and large-scale technology deployments in China; and our commitment to developing comprehensive, complete product offerings for our carrier customers that allow them to capitalize on economies of scale and differentiate their service offerings.

        By contrast, our competitive disadvantages include our relatively smaller size in terms of revenues, working capital, and financial resources and number of employees as compared to many of our competitors, our lack of history and experience in selling to many of the largest carriers in well-established markets and our lack of consumer brand recognition in markets outside of China.

TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS

        Our product focus is in two core markets: Broadband Infrastructure and Multimedia Communications. These markets leverage the high growth that is driven by the shift to IP-based technologies, particularly in the world's developing economies. We plan to build on our demonstrated success in such major markets such as China, India, Japan and Korea, among others.

        Within these two core markets, we anticipate profitable growth driven by such products as IPTV, Next Generation Network ("NGN"), Optical Transport and Multi-Service Access Node ("MSAN").

Business Segments

        In order to improve the focus and accountability within the Company, we made a number of organizational changes in the fourth quarter of 2007 which include the introduction of a new business segment structure. Our core business is comprised of the Broadband Infrastructure business unit and the Multimedia Communications business unit and the Services business unit that supports these two business units. Our non-core businesses are organized into four autonomous business units: Personal Communications Division, Handsets, Mobile Solutions and Custom Solutions.

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        Our reporting segments consist of the following business units:

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Broadband Infrastructure;



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Multimedia Communications;



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Personal Communications Division;



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Handsets;



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Services; and



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Other, which includes our Mobile Solutions and Custom Solutions business units.

        Our Broadband Infrastructure business unit is responsible for software and hardware products that enable end users to access high-speed, cost-effective wireline data, voice and media communication. Our products within each of these categories include multiple hardware and software subsystems that can be offered in various combinations to suit individual carrier needs. Our system products are based on widely adopted global communications standards and are designed to allow service providers to quickly and cost-efficiently integrate our systems into their existing networks and deploy our systems in new broadband, IP and wireless network rollouts. Our products are also designed for quick and cost-effective transition to future network technologies, enabling our customers to make the best use of their existing infrastructure. See Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Net Sales," for a discussion of our net sales by reporting segment.

        Our Multimedia Communications business unit is responsible for the development and management of IPTV and related technologies (such as surveillance) plus our core NGN software. The Personal Handyphone System ("PHS") infrastructure and wireless systems teams are also a part of this business unit.

        Our Personal Communications Division markets, sells and supports handsets other than PAS handsets for markets other than China. Historically, most of our handset sales in this division were designed and built by other manufacturers. However, in 2005 we began shipping handsets designed and manufactured by us, and, during the year ended December 31, 2007, handsets manufactured by us made up approximately 35% of the total unit sales of this business unit.

        Our Handsets segment designs, builds and sells consumer handset devices that allow customers to access wireless services. All handset revenues within China are included in this segment.

        We support the growth and operation of the installed base of our system solutions through our professional services business, UTStarcom Services. Our globally-deployed experts assist the Company's customers with activities ranging from network planning, circuit-to-packet network migration planning, systems integration, program management, operations management and support, and knowledge transfer.

        Included in our "other" segment are our Mobile Solutions business unit and our Custom Solutions business unit. Our Mobile Solutions business unit is responsible for the development, sales and service of our wireless IPCDMA/IPGSM product line and our Packet Data Services Node ("PDSN") product line which connects CDMA cellular network infrastructure equipment to IP networks. Our Custom Solutions business unit is responsible for the development, sales and service of other non-core products such as IP messaging, transaction gateways, and Remote Access Server ("RAS") which enables users to access network data and services from remote locations.

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE BUSINESS UNIT

        Our Broadband Infrastructure products are designed to satisfy customer demand for high speed and cost-effective wireline-based data, voice and multimedia services. Revenues from this segment

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accounted for approximately 6%, 8% and 16% of total sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our wireline technology enables high-speed voice, video and data transmissions over broadband IP-based networks. Our Broadband Infrastructure segment includes digital subscriber line products, multi-service access node products and fiber optics products.

Digital Subscriber Line Products

        Digital subscriber line ("DSL") technology allows high-speed data and content transfer while providing simultaneous telephone communications over the same fixed copper line. Our IP-based DSL Access Multiplexers ("IP-DSLAMs") incorporate the latest DSL technologies combined with a range of form factors to enable high-speed access and to deliver services to residential and commercial subscribers using broadband networks.

        Our AN-2000 product is intended for operators with an existing copper telephone network seeking to expand into offering broadband data to their customers. An all-IP network allows our customers to more easily add features such as video streaming and IP multicast in addition to traditional broadband services. To date, we have deployed more than seven million IP-DSLAM lines globally.

        Our DSL products include customer premise equipment ("CPE") such as various DSL modems, set-top boxes and voice over the internet devices that allow residential and business customers to access voice, data and video services. Our products are designed to be rich in functionality, simple to set up, easy to install and easy to manage. The diversity and flexibility of our CPE offerings allows them to work with both our own infrastructure equipment as well as with other vendors' infrastructure equipment.

Multi-Service Access Node

        A Multi-Service Access Node ("MSAN") offers a wide-range of services including IPTV, High-Speed Internet Access, POTS, ISDN, VoIP, and much more over twisted pair copper and optical fiber. UTStarcom's iAN8K B1000 Multimedia Network Edge is a leading MSAN platform in the industry with millions of lines installed. iAN8K B1000 offers access-gateway function for NGN Migration application by providing connectivity to existing legacy network and state-of-the-art IP based voice network. NGN migration is the most important target market for MSAN, which is evolving into a very large global opportunity. iAN8K B1000 also offers IP based DSLAM function based on ADSL2+ and VDSL2 standards for still-growing broadband access market. iAN8K B1000 is based on next-generation Gigabit Ethernet architecture, in-line with our commitment to offer end-to-end IP connectivity. We continue to enrich our MSAN product by adding new services enablers such as GEPON based fiber access for FTTx applications.

Optical Products

        Our optical products include transport products based upon internationally defined optical transmission standards and access products. Our products convert and translate data, video, voice or other traffic into an optical signal that is transmitted over glass fiber. The product platform includes a multi-service management system which simultaneously processes multiple speeds ranging from 155 Megabits per second for traditional voice service to 10 Gigabits per second for data intensive services.

Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network ("GEPON")

        In 2004, we introduced our GEPON product. A passive optical network is a system configuration that brings optical fiber all the way to the end user using unpowered optical splitters which enable a single optical fiber to serve multiple premises. Our GEPON platform is designed to provide high subscriber density and low cost of entry, making it a compelling alternative to traditional telephone or broadband solutions.

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        Our GEPON family includes both the telecommunications provider's central office and CPE which handle speeds of up to one Gigabit per second of bandwidth to residential and business customers. By integrating more functionality into the product, we have eliminated the need for carriers to deploy additional switching and routing equipment.

Multi-Service Transport Platform ("MSTP")

        We introduced our NetRing™ MSTP optical product line in December 2003. While our GEPON product is designed to provide services to individual customers, our NetRing™ products are designed for the high bandwidth needs of a service area. Our NetRing™ 600 products provide voice and data services for multi-tenant buildings, office buildings and enterprise campus applications. Our mid-range NetRing™ 2500 products offer voice and data transport when more bandwidth and greater capacity is required. Our high-end NetRing™ 10000 products provide service for regional transport applications, when maximum bandwidth and capacity is required. In each application, the optical fiber is looped through the service area and connected back upon itself, providing full redundancy in the event that the fiber is severed. NetRing™ provides a broad range of functions for carriers to manage voice, data and video traffic with network management functions previously available only on multiple, independent platforms.

Markets and Customers

        Our Broadband Infrastructure segment also targets several large markets and customers worldwide. In 2007, we signed several large broadband infrastructure customers, including TVTEL, United Telecom Limited, Power Bell & Tell, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. These contracts strengthened our position as a leading broadband infrastructure provider worldwide. While we have had success in the past in specific areas such as Yahoo! BB and Japan Telecom, we are now seeing our market success expand throughout APAC and India and into Europe and South America.

        Our key target markets for 2007 for the deployment of our Broadband Infrastructure products were Japan, China, India, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. We believe these markets provide a significant amount of opportunity going forward given their relatively low broadband penetration rates and strong consumer demand for new broadband services.

        For example, according to the Census Bureau of India, as of September 1, 2007, India had a population of over 1.1 billion and according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, as of December 31, 2007, India's teledensity (the number of phone lines per 100 persons) is only at approximately 23.9% compared to teledensity of approximately 60% in the US as of December 31, 2007. We currently offer our MSAN, IPDSLAM, IPTV, OPTICAL and GEPON, as well as a host of products and services in India. With over one million access lines deployed today, we anticipate that we will continue to implement and deploy our products and conduct trials with several operators, including Reliance Infocomm Ltd. and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

        We also saw growth of the installed base of our solutions in the Caribbean and Latin America ("CALA"). Our target customer base in CALA includes both incumbent and competitive carriers who are transitioning their circuit-based core switching, access and transport networks to an IP-based infrastructure. Key contracts in CALA for 2007 included, but are not limited, to Brazil Telecom in Brazil and Telefonica del Sur in Chile, Cossett Pas and Telmex Columbia. We have established a growing installed base for several of our solutions, including iPAS, MSAN, RollingStream™, GEPON and the mSwitch platform.

Competition

        The Broadband Infrastructure market is subject to intense competition worldwide from numerous global and regional competitors, including some of the world's largest companies. These companies

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leverage pricing, payment terms and their pre-existing customer relationships. Specific competitors in this segment include Alcatel-Lucent, Datang Telecom Technology Co. Ltd, LM Ericsson Telephone Company, Huawei Technology Co., Ltd., Motorola, Inc., Siemens AG, Tellabs, Inc., and Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, Inc.

MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS UNIT

mSwitch™—NGN & Softswitch Solution

        Our mSwitch is a flexible IP-based platform designed to provide voice communications over an IP network. The mSwitch product family supports three primary solutions:

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IP-based Personal Access System ("iPAS") Wireless Local Service,



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Next Generation Network ("NGN") Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP"), and



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Fixed Mobile Convergence.

        mSwitch enables service providers to migrate from existing circuit platforms to a next generation IP-based switch architecture, or to launch new applications in "Greenfield" or new deployment environments that have no legacy infrastructure. Our mSwitch portfolio is a carrier-class next generation switching product family that enables service providers to:

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Deploy a converged core switching network that supports both wireline and wireless endpoints,



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Enable application delivery across diverse access points,



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Maintain consistent end user experience regardless of method of access to the applications,



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Protect investment in their core infrastructure,



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Deploy a scalable, modular system, and



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Enjoy the benefits of an Operation Support System /Network Management System suite designed to integrate with the service provider's existing network.

RollingStream™—IPTV Solution

        Video content is increasingly being viewed by telecommunications providers as a new source of revenue. Our IPTV system, RollingStream™, includes both central office and customer premises equipment for delivering television and multimedia over carrier networks based on IP technology. Our RollingStream™ products and services enable a service provider to deliver broadcast television and on-demand video services to residential and commercial premises over a switched network architecture. It is a carrier-class product that is designed to scale to support millions of users and hundreds of thousands of content hours. We believe RollingStream™ is the first solution designed to enable carriers to deploy very-large-scale streaming video content over a switched network.

        The RollingStream™ product family includes a storage and streaming device ("MediaStation"); a device for combining different video signals onto a unified distribution system ("Content Engine"); a device residing at the user's home or place of business; and a network management system that enables system wide operation. RollingStream™ products have been designed to function over standard copper telephone lines as well as cable or optical transmission lines.

        RollingStream™ is designed to allow carriers to offer new, revenue-generating television and multi-media services. The system is also designed to help providers attract customers of cable and satellite operators by offering a more comprehensive and interactive suite of services. We continue to see industry and customer enthusiasm with key customer deployments announced by Softbank in Japan,

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China Telecom and China Netcom in China, MTNL and Bharti in India, Markwell in Taiwan, and Brazil Telecom in Brazil.

PAS—Personal Access Solution

        Our Personal Access System family of wireless core infrastructure equipment, based on the PHS standards developed by The Association of Radio Industries and Telecommunication Technology Committee in Japan, is designed to help our customers create new revenue opportunities with high quality wireless voice and data services. Approximately 92% of our Multimedia Communications revenue in 2007 is derived from our PAS product.

        With the UTStarcom IP-Based PAS (iPAS) wireless access network, operators can migrate their current wireline network to an IP-based PHS wireless network that provides wireless voice and data services within a city or community. With this new system, service providers can offer new wireless services, such as citywide mobility, same-number wireless extension, email, mobile Internet access, text messaging and location-based services.

        The iPAS wireless access network offers several advantages:

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Common platform for both wireline and wireless—offers a complete set of wireline and wireless services: Plain Old Telephone Service, Integrated Services Digital Network, citywide mobility, text messaging, email, location-based services, mobile internet access.



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Flexible deployments—integrates iPAS into the existing public network or deploy it as an independent network over a unified IP-based core network with advanced softswitch architecture. As a result, service providers can cost-effectively deploy services to meet subscriber demands.



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High-performance softswitch platform—scales an iPAS network to support from 10,000 to more than five million subscribers with a softswitch server cluster and multi protocol gateways. With its softswitch architecture, customers can migrate seamlessly to Third-Generation Cell-Phone Technology services over a unified IP-based core network.



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Centralized Web-based operations support system—simplifies network operations by concentrating all supporting functions, such as subscriber management, service provisioning, network management, billing processing and customer care, into one centralized network operation center. With the Web-based interface, maintenance personnel or subscribers can access the service remotely over the Internet.



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Wide selection of subscriber devices—allows customers to choose the easiest access: a PHS handset or personal station for citywide mobility, a fixed subscriber unit for fixed wireless access, a Personal Handyphone System Internet Access Forum Standard data suite device for high-speed Internet access, or any combination of these.

Markets and Customers

        In 2007, our largest market for Multimedia Communications products was China, which equaled approximately 94% of revenues for the segment, primarily driven by the PAS business. We believe that China continues to be one of the largest and most important markets in the world with gross domestic product (GDP) growth of more than 9% each year over the past several years. China is currently undergoing an evolution of telecommunications technology. As such, infrastructure spending is expected to transition over the next several years from traditional wireless and wireline technologies to new technologies such as 3G and broadband-based services. While this led to an overall decline in multimedia communications revenues by 28% and 10% in 2007 and 2006, respectively, we expect the sales of our next generation multimedia communications systems such as Rollingstream™ may increase in the future.

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        In 2007, the Jiangsu Province and the Zhejiang Province in China accounted for approximately 21% and 16%, respectively, of sales for the PAS business within the multimedia communications business segment. In 2006, sales in the Jiangsu Province and in the Zhejiang Province accounted for approximately 15% and 10%, respectively, of sales for the PAS business within the multimedia communications business segment.

Competition

        The Multimedia Communications market is marked by intense competition worldwide from numerous global and regional competitors, including some of the world's largest companies. Pricing, payment terms and brand recognition are key considerations for our customers. Specific competitors in this segment include: Alcatel-Lucent, LM Ericsson Telephone Company, Huawei Technology Co., Ltd., InterDigital Inc., Motorola, Inc., Nokia Corporation, Nortel Networks Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Siemens AG and Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, Inc.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

        We acquired the Personal Communications Division ("PCD") from Audiovox Corporation in November 2004. Revenues from this segment represented approximately 67%, 55% and 48% of our total sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our PCD segment markets wireless handsets and accessories through international wireless carriers and their agents, independent distributors and retailers. We sell an array of digital handsets, hand-held computing devices and accessories in a variety of technologies, principally utilizing the CDMA radio air interface. We generally market our wireless products under the UTStarcom brand name or co-brand our products with our carrier customers. In addition to handsets, we sell a complete line of accessories that includes batteries, hands-free kits, battery eliminators, cases and data cables. In 2008, we intend to continue to broaden our digital product offerings by supplying handsets with enhanced features such as two and three megapixel resolution for video and camera products, music on demand, MP3 music players and improved internet capabilities.

Product Development, Warranty and Customer Service

        Although the PCD segment does not have its own manufacturing facilities, it works closely with both customers and suppliers in feature design, development and testing of products. In particular, PCD:

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with its wireless customers, determines future market feature requirements;



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works with its suppliers to develop products containing those features;



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participates in the design of the features and aesthetics of its wireless products;



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tests products in its own facilities to ensure compliance with PCD standards; and



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supervises testing of the products in its carrier markets to ensure compliance with carrier specifications.

        We believe customer service is an important tool for enhancing our brand name and relationship with carriers. In order to provide full service to our customers, we provide a warranty on our handset products for periods ranging from twelve to fifteen months. To support our warranties, we work with independent warranty centers throughout North and South America and have experienced technicians in our warranty repair stations at our PCD headquarters facility. Our experienced customer service representatives interact directly with both end-users and our customers. These representatives are trained to respond to questions related to handset operation and warranty and repair issues.

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Suppliers

        Our PCD segment purchases its wireless products from several manufacturers located in Pacific Rim countries, including Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. In selecting suppliers, we consider quality, price, service, market conditions and reputation. We generally purchase our products under short-term purchase orders and do not enter into long-term contracts. During 2007, 2006 and 2005, three vendors accounted for approximately 79%, 88% and 97% of purchases, respectively. In September 2006, we entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement with one of these vendors whereby we were appointed exclusive distributor in certain territories. Additionally, we plan to extend our supplier base by introducing more models of our own design and expanding our relationships with other manufacturers.

Markets and Customers

        We sell our wireless handsets and accessories to wireless carriers and the carrier's respective agents, distributors and retailers. Our largest market for the PCD segment is North America, which represented approximately 99.8% of PCD net sales during 2007. Our five largest wireless customers in 2007 were Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Sprint Spectrum, MetroPCS and Cricket Communications. Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA and Sprint Spectrum accounted for approximately 33%, 22% and 18%, respectively, of net sales for the segment during 2007. In addition, we promote our products through trade and consumer advertising, participation at trade shows and direct personal contact by our sales representatives. We also assist wireless carriers with their marketing campaigns by scripting telemarketing presentations, funding co-operative advertising campaigns, developing and printing custom sales literature, providing logistics services, conducting in-house training programs for wireless carriers and their agents and providing assistance in market development.

Competition

        The market for wireless handsets and accessories is highly competitive and is characterized by intense price competition, significant price erosion over the life of a product whose life cycle has continued to shorten, demand for value-added services, rapid technological development and industry consolidation of both customers and manufacturers. Currently, our primary competitors for wireless handsets include LG, Motorola, Samsung, Kyocera, Nokia and Sanyo.

        We also compete with numerous established and new manufacturers and distributors, some of whom sell the same or similar products directly to our customers. Historically, our competitors have also included some of our own suppliers and customers. Many of our competitors offer more extensive advertising and promotional programs than we do. We compete for sales to carriers, agents and distributors on the basis of our products, services and price. As our customers require greater value-added logistics services, we believe that competition will continually be required to support an infrastructure capable of providing these services. Our ability to continue to compete successfully will depend largely on our ability to perform these value-added services at a reasonable cost.

        Our products compete primarily on the basis of price, features and reliability. There have been, and will continue to be, periods of extreme price competition in the wireless industry, particularly when one or more of our competitors has sought to sell off excess inventory by lowering prices significantly or when carriers cancel or modify sales programs. As a result of global competitive pressures, there have been significant consolidations in the domestic wireless industry, which has caused extreme price competition. These consolidations may result in greater competition for a smaller number of large customers and may favor one or more of our competitors.

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HANDSETS BUSINESS UNIT

        We design and sell a variety of handsets to support our business primarily in China. Our primary product sold in the China market is PAS products. Our Handsets business accounted for approximately 10%, 16% and 16% of revenues in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The products range from basic, low-cost units to high-functionality, higher-cost models. Today we feature handsets with cameras, video recorders and players, high-resolution color displays, multiple ring tones, text messaging service and high speed Internet access and email capability.

PAS Handsets

        We currently offer a wide variety of PAS handset models from high-end, data-capable and feature-rich models to low-cost value models. In 2007, we sold more than 4.78 million PAS and PAS/GSM handsets.

CDMA and Multi-Mode Handsets

        In 2004, we announced our entry into the CDMA handset markets in China. We offer carriers a wide selection of price ranges and handset features by providing a broad range of models supporting each of these technologies.

Markets and Customers

        In 2007, our primary market for the Handsets segment was in China with approximately 99% of segment revenue attributed to the China market. In 2007, sales in the Jiang Su Province, the Zhe Jiang Province and the Guang Dong Province accounted for approximately 18%, 12% and 11%, respectively, of sales for the Handsets segment.

Competition

        The PAS Handset business segment faces significant competition from numerous competitors. The principal methods of competition include pricing and brand recognition. Specific competitors in this segment include OKWAP, Hua Wei, ZTE and CORISE. Margins in the handset industry are consistently low and difficult to increase due to the complexity of the market and the strength of the competition. PAS is losing the obvious advantage of low-tariff compared to GSM and CDMA mobile service. In addition, investment from fixed-line operators on PAS business has decreased over the past year. These factors have negatively impacted the profitability of our handset segment.

OTHER BUSINESS SEGMENT

        Included in our "Other" segment are our Mobile Solutions business unit and our Custom Solutions business unit. Our Mobile Solutions business unit is responsible for the development, sales and service of our wireless IPCDMA/IPGSM product line and our Packet Data Services Node ("PDSN") product line which connects CDMA cellular network infrastructure equipment to IP network. Our Custom Solutions business unit is responsible for the development, sales and service of other non-core products such as IP messaging, transaction gateways and Remote Access Server ("RAS") which enables users to access network data and services from remote locations.

OPERATIONS

Employees

        As of December 31, 2007, we employed a total of approximately 5,100 full-time employees. From time to time, we also employ part-time employees and hire contractors. Of the total number of full-time employees at December 31, 2007, approximately 2,180 were in research and development,

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approximately 790 were in manufacturing, approximately 1,530 were in marketing, sales and support, and approximately 600 were in administration. We had approximately 3,800 employees located in China, approximately 600 employees located in the United States and 700 employees located in other countries. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining agreement and we have never experienced a work stoppage. We believe that we have good employee relations.

Sales, Marketing and Customer Support

        We pursue a direct sales and marketing strategy in China, targeting sales to telecommunication operators and equipment distributors with closely associated customers. We maintain sales and customer support sites in all major cities in China. Our customer service operation in Hangzhou, China, serves as both a technical resource and liaison to our product development organization. In China, customer service technicians are distributed in the regional sales and customer support sites to provide a local presence.

        Our sales efforts in markets outside of China combine direct sales, original equipment manufacturers, distributors, resellers, agents and licensees. We maintain sales and customer support offices in several countries covering the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and the Asia-Pacific regions.

Manufacturing, Assembly and Testing

        We manufacture or engage in the final assembly and testing of our mSwitch, PAS systems, handsets and MSAN products at our manufacturing facility in the Chinese province of Zhejiang. The manufacturing operations consist of circuit board assembly, final system assembly, software installation and testing. We assemble circuit boards primarily using surface mount technology. Assembled boards are individually tested prior to final assembly and tested again at the system level prior to system shipment. We use internally developed functional and parametric tests for quality management and process control and have developed an internal system to track quality statistics at a serial number level.

        Our manufacturing facility is ISO 9001-2000 and 1400 certified. ISO 9001-2000 and 1400 certifications require that the certified entity establish, maintain and follow an auditable quality process including documentation requirements, development, training, testing and continuous improvement which is periodically audited by an independent external auditor.

        We contract with third parties in China to perform high-volume assembly and manufacturing of our handsets and some high-volume single boards for MSAN, PAS and mSwitch systems. Handset final assembly, testing and packaging are conducted at our own facilities as well as contracted to third parties. We generally use third parties for high-volume assembly of circuit boards. We have also contracted with various suppliers to provide PAS wireless base station components for distribution under the UTStarcom label. In China, we undertake final assembly and test our wireless infrastructure products at our own facilities.

Research and Development

        We believe it is essential to continue to develop and introduce new and enhanced products if we are to maintain our competitive position. While we use competitive analyses and technology trends as factors in our product development plans, the primary input for new products and product enhancements comes from soliciting and analyzing information about service providers' needs. Our relationships with China's Ministry of Information Industry and Telecommunications Administration and individual telecommunications bureaus and our full-service post-sale customer support in China provide our research and development organization with insight into trends and developments in the marketplace. The insights provided from these relationships allow us to develop market-driven products

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such as PAS, mSwitch and IP-DSLAM. We maintain a strong relationship between our research centers in the U.S. and China. We rotate engineers between the U.S. and China to further integrate our research and development operations. We have been able to cost-effectively hire highly skilled technical employees from a large pool of qualified candidates in China. We also have a development center in India to take advantage of the talent pool available there, and to support our operations in India. Our research and development centers are ISO 9001-2000 certified.

        In the past we have made, and expect to continue to make, significant investments in research and development. Our research and development expenditures totaled $168.3 million in 2007, $182.9 million in 2006 and $246.8 million in 2005.

Intellectual Property

        Our ability to compete depends in part on our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements and licensing arrangements, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. We hold U.S. and foreign patents for our existing products expiring between 2014 and 2023, and have patents pending in both the U.S. and in foreign countries. In addition, we have, from time to time, chosen to abandon previously filed applications. Patents may not be issued and any patents issued may not cover the scope of the claims sought in the applications. Additionally, issued patents may be found to be invalid or unenforceable in the courts of those countries where we hold or have filed for patents. Our U.S. patents do not afford any intellectual property protection in China or other international jurisdictions. Additionally, patents that we hold in countries other than the United States do not afford any intellectual property protection in the United States. Please refer to the discussion of risks associated with our intellectual property in "Item 1A-Risk Factors—Factors Affecting Future Operating Results."

Seasonality

        Our revenues and earnings have not demonstrated consistent seasonal characteristics. We experience some seasonality typical of the telecommunications industry, such as seasonally weak first quarters, that is often offset by other mitigating factors such as customer concentration and timing of revenue recognition.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        Our current executive officers and their ages as of December 31, 2007 are as follows:

        Hong Liang Lu has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director from June 1991 though December 2006, and as Chairman of the Board from March 2003 to December 2006. On January 1, 2007, he assumed the title of Chief Executive Officer. In June 1991, Mr. Lu co-founded UTStarcom, Inc. under its prior name, Unitech Telecom, Inc., which subsequently acquired StarCom

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Network Systems, Inc. in September 1995. From 1986 through December 1990, Mr. Lu served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kyocera Unison, a majority-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. Mr. Lu served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Unison World, Inc., a software development company from 1983 until its merger with Kyocera in 1986. From 1979 to 1983, Mr. Lu served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Unison World, Inc. Mr. Lu holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.

        Peter Blackmore has served as our President and Chief Operating Officer since July 2007. From 2005 until he joined the Company, Mr. Blackmore served as Executive Vice President in charge of world-wide sales, marketing and technology at Unisys Corporation. Prior to joining Unisys in 2005, he served as Executive Vice President of the Customer Solutions Group at Hewlett-Packard Company from 2004 and as Executive Vice President of the Enterprise Systems Group from 2002 through 2004. From 1991 until its acquisition by Hewlett-Packard in 2002, Mr. Blackmore served in a number of senior management positions with Compaq Computer Corporation, most recently as its Executive Vice President of worldwide sales and services from 2000 through 2002. Mr. Blackmore holds an M.A. in Economics from Trinity College, Cambridge, U.K.

        Francis P. Barton has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since August 2005 and as a director since October 2006. From May 2003 to July 2005, Mr. Barton was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Atmel Corporation. From May 2001 to May 2003, Mr. Barton was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BroadVision Inc. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Barton was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Barton was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Amdahl Corporation. From 1974 to 1996, Mr. Barton worked at Digital Equipment Corporation, beginning his career as a financial analyst and moving his way up through various financial roles to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Digital Equipment Corporation's Personal Computer Division. Mr. Barton holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. with a focus in finance from Northeastern University. Mr. Barton currently serves on the board of directors of ON Semiconductor Corporation.

        Philip Christopher has served as President of UTStarcom Personal Communications LLC, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, since June 2004. Prior to joining us, Mr. Christopher was President and CEO of Audiovox Communications Corporation and Executive Vice President of Audiovox Corporation. Prior to our acquisition of Audiovox Communications Corporation, Mr. Christopher had been employed with Audiovox Corporation since 1970 and was elected to the company's board of directors in 1987. Mr. Christopher was a member of the White House Economic Council, and also serves on the board of directors of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association. Mr. Christopher is also the recipient of numerous industry and humanitarian awards and honors, including the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

        Mark Green has served as our Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources and Real Estate since February 2007, and served as our Vice President of Human Resources from January 2006 to January 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Green was at Verisign Inc. from June 2005 as the Human Resources Director of Verisign Security Services. From 1992 to 2005, Mr. Green was at Nortel, where he joined their Human Resources Leadership Development Program, rotating through multiple Human Resources areas in the U.K. and the U.S. He then moved to Hong Kong, as International Human Resources Services Manager for the APAC region, returning to the U.S. as Senior Human Resources Business Partner for the Clarify eBusiness-Software Applications Division, then Human Resources Director of Nortel's Enterprise Division. Mr. Green received his BSEE from Leeds University, U.K., and MSc in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations from the London School of Economics. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Personnel and Development, U.K.

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        David King has served as our Senior Vice President, Sales, and Marketing & Services since March 2006. Prior to joining us, Mr. King was the Chief Executive Officer for Visual Wireless AB from 2004 to 2006. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. King was with Ericsson AB, initially as Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Wireline Systems, then as Vice President, Product Management & Marketing and held the position of Vice President and General Manager, Wireline Systems from 2002 to 2004. From 1996 through 1999 Mr. King was with Pricewaterhouse (now PwC) as a principal consultant and from 1992 to 1996 Mr. King was a senior consultant with Omega Partners. Mr. King was Chairman and non-executive board director for Ascade AB, Stockholm from 2001 to 2004. Mr. King served as an officer in the Royal Marines from 1985 to 1989. He holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Liverpool University, and an MBA from the London Business School.

        Viraj Patel has served as our Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since November 2005. Prior to joining us, Mr. Patel was Vice President of Finance for Celera Group from July 2005 to October 2005. Mr. Patel also served as Vice President of Finance for Nektar Therapeutics from March 2004 until June 2005. From November 2003 to March 2004, Mr. Patel served as an interim Corporate Controller for Extreme Networks. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Patel was the Chief Financial Officer of Avant! Corporation. Prior to joining Avant! Corporation Mr. Patel worked for Pall Corporation from 1989 through 1999 where he served as the Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Patel began his career at Pricewaterhouse (now PwC) in 1982. Mr. Patel holds a BBA from Pace University, New York. He is a Certified Public Accountant from the State of New York and is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

ITEM 1A—RISK FACTORS

FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY

We have incurred net losses in the past and may not have sufficient cash on hand to execute our business plan. We may need to obtain additional funding from outside sources, including the sale of our securities, divestiture of assets, or obtaining loans from financial institutions, to have sufficient cash resources and liquidity to continue our operations. Our ability to accomplish these actions is not assured, and our ability to raise funds for other purposes is uncertain.

        We reported net losses of $195.6 million, $117.3 million and $532.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of December 31, 2007 we have an accumulated deficit of $691.2 million and used $218.2 million of cash in operations during the year ended December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2007 we had cash and cash equivalents of $437.4 million of which $289.5 million will be used to repay our convertible subordinated notes due on March 1, 2008 (the "Notes"). These factors, as well as others discussed below, raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern and our independent registered public accounting firm has included an explanatory paragraph highlighting this uncertainty in its report dated February 29, 2008. We are continuing to experience net operating losses. Our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to successfully divest noncore assets or operations, generate profit and/or obtain necessary funding from outside sources, including the sale of our securities, or obtaining loans from financial institutions, where possible. Our continued net operating losses increase the difficulty of our meeting such goals and our efforts to continue as a going concern may not prove successful.

        At December 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $503.1 million to meet our liquidity requirements of which $376.3 million was held by our subsidiaries in China. China imposes currency exchange controls on transfers of funds outside of China; such controls limit transfers of approximately $200 million of our net assets outside of China without first obtaining the consent of the Chinese government. While our China subsidiaries had transferred a $150 million dividend during the year ended December 31, 2007 and another $100 million dividend in

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February 2008, the amount of cash available for transfer from the China subsidiaries is limited both by the liquidity needs of the subsidiaries in China and by the Chinese government requirements that the China subsidiaries retain adequate capital levels in China to protect creditors and to have funds available for mandated employee benefits. Additionally, available credit facilities in China at December 31, 2007 totaled $152.1 million. Of this amount, an aggregate of $41.1 million may be used for general working capital purposes. In addition, $111.0 million was available for use in support of letters of credit and corporate guarantees. These credit facilities expire during the fourth quarter of 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2007, credit facilities in China in the aggregate amount of approximately $481.7 million matured or were extinguished. At December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance under the continuing general working capital line was $6.9 million, and an additional $41.1 million was outstanding under the lines that matured during the fourth quarter of 2007. Our available lines of credit are now significantly less than what has been available to us historically. We are in the process of renewing the matured lines of credit and may need to collateralize certain of our assets in China to increase those lines. However, we cannot be certain that such additional lines of credit will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

        On February 28, 2008, we transferred $289.5 million to the Trustee (the "Trustee") for our Notes in order to assure the repayment of our Notes which mature on March 1, 2008. This amount includes a principal payment of $274.6 million and $14.9 million in accrued interest. The Trustee has been instructed to pay all amounts to the Note holders when due.

        Management's liquidity plans include divesting our noncore assets or operations, obtaining funding from outside sources, including the sale of our securities or obtaining loans from financial institutions. If we cannot successfully implement our liquidity plans, it may be necessary for us to make significant changes to our business plan to maintain adequate liquidity for at least the next 12 months. In addition, various other matters may impact our liquidity such as:

•

changes in financial market conditions or our business condition that could limit our access to existing credit facilities or make new financings more costly or even unfeasible;



•

changes in China's currency exchange control regulations that could limit our ability to access cash in China to meet liquidity requirements for our operations in China or elsewhere; and



•

inability to achieve planned operating results that could increase liquidity requirements beyond those considered in our business plan.

        We may desire to raise additional funds for purposes not presently included in our business plan such as to develop new or enhanced products, respond to competitive pressures, take advantage of acquisition opportunities or raise capital for strategic purposes. There is no assurance that additional financing for these or other purposes would be available on acceptable terms or at all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, our stockholders will experience dilution of their ownership interest, and the newly issued securities may have rights superior to those of common stock. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt, our ability to meet our debt service obligations will be dependent upon our future performance, which will be subject to financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control, we may be subject to limitations on our operations, and our leverage may increase. The degree to which we are leveraged could materially and adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for working capital, acquisitions or other purposes and could make us more vulnerable to industry downturns and competitive pressures.

        Although management has developed a liquidity plan as discussed above, we may have difficulty maintaining existing relationships, or developing new relationships, with suppliers or vendors as a result of the factors discussed above. Our suppliers or vendors could choose to provide supplies or services to us on more stringent payment terms than those currently in place, such as by requiring advanced payment or payment upon delivery of such supplies or services, which would have an adverse impact on

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our short-term cash flows. As a result, our ability to retain current customers, attract new customers and maintain contracts that are critical to our operations may be adversely affected.

The restatement of our consolidated financial statements following the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's and management's review of our past stock option granting practices and the Audit Committee's and management's review of certain sales in China has resulted in expanded litigation and regulatory proceedings and other consequences which have and could continue to adversely impact our business, including our financial results.

        Our previously reported restatement of financial statements for years 2005 and earlier to correct revenue recognition for certain sales in China and for the effects of past stock options granting practices has exposed us to greater risks associated with litigation and regulatory proceedings. We have voluntarily provided information about the conduct of our independent investigation and review, the findings of the reviews, and our conclusions to the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and are cooperating, and will continue to cooperate fully with the SEC. In addition, as described in Part I, Item 3, "Legal Proceedings," of this Form 10-K, several derivative complaints have been filed against certain of our current and former officers and directors pertaining to allegations relating to stock option grants. Also, our judgments made in preparing the restatements may be challenged in legal proceedings or regulatory reviews, and we could be subject to adverse findings that could require us to again restate our financial statements, to pay damages or penalties, or have other remedies imposed upon us that could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We may also be exposed to legal proceedings in connection with the results of our investigation of certain sales in China. We cannot guarantee that new lawsuits related to the matters resulting in the restatements will not be filed, and we cannot predict the outcome of any current or potential future litigation or regulatory proceeding against the Company or our current and former directors or officers.

        In addition, employees who were awarded options at a discount from fair market value and were totally or partially unvested as of December 31, 2004, may be subject to a penalty tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A ("Section 409A") and corresponding states taxes upon exercise of these stock options. We are considering certain actions, which we believe would be in the best interests of our stockholders and employees that might substantially reduce or eliminate the federal and state penalty taxes. However, there is no guarantee that we will be successful in developing effective measures to address employees' adverse tax consequences, and any such measures may cause us to incur additional cash or noncash compensation expense. Furthermore, such measures, or the failure of such measures, may require the Company to incur substantial expenses for legal, accounting, tax and other professional services and may divert management's attention from our business, which could in the future harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

        As a consequence of our delayed filing of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2006, March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007, as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, we are ineligible to register our securities on Form S-3 for sale by us or resale by others until we have been current in our SEC filings for 12 calendar months. We became current in our SEC filings on October 19, 2007.

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Our future product sales are unpredictable and, as a result, our operating results are likely to fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

        Our quarterly and annual operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future due to a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control. Factors that may affect our future operating results include:

•

the timing and size of the orders for our products;



•

consumer acceptance of new products we may introduce to market;



•

changes in the growth rate of customer purchases of communications services;



•

the lengthy and unpredictable sales cycles associated with sales of our products;



•

revenue recognition, which is based primarily on customer acceptance of delivered products, is unpredictable;



•

cancellation, deferment or delay in implementation of large contracts;



•

quality issues resulting from the design or manufacture of the products, or from the software used in the product;



•

cash collection cycles in China and other emerging markets;



•

reliance on product, software and component suppliers who may constitute a sole source of supply or may have going concern issues;



•

the decline in business activity we typically experience during the Chinese Lunar New Year, which leads to decreased sales and collections during our first fiscal quarter;



•

issues that might arise from the integration of acquired entities or divestiture of noncore assets or operations and the inability to achieve expected results from such acquisitions or divestitures;



•

shifts in our product mix or market focus; and



•

availability of adequate liquidity to implement our business plan.

        As a result of these and other factors, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful or indicative of future performance. In addition, the factors noted above may make it difficult for us to forecast and provide in a timely manner public guidance (including updates to prior guidance) related to our projected financial performance. Furthermore, it is possible that in some future quarters our operating results will fall below the expectations of securities analysts or investors. If this occurs, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

Competition in our markets may lead to reduced prices, revenues and market share.

        We have experienced intense competition in the past years, and we believe that we will continue to face intense competition from both domestic and international companies in our target markets, many of which may operate under lower cost structures or may be given preferential treatment by applicable governmental regulators and policies and have much larger sales forces than we do. Additionally, other companies not presently offering competing products may also enter our target markets. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, product development, sales, marketing and other resources than we do. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in service provider requirements. Our competitors may also be able to devote greater resources than we can to the development, promotion and sale of new products. These competitors may be able to offer significant financing arrangements to service providers, which may give them a competitive advantage in selling systems to service providers with limited financial resources. In many of the developing markets in which we operate or intend to operate, relationships

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with local governmental telecommunications agencies are important to establish and maintain. In many such markets, our competitors may have or be able to establish better relationships with local governmental telecommunications agencies than we have, which could result in their ability to influence governmental policy formation and interpretation to their advantage. Additionally, our competitors might have better relationships with their third party suppliers and obtain component parts at reduced rates, allowing them to offer their end products at reduced prices. Moreover, the telecommunications and data transmission industries have experienced significant consolidation, and we expect this trend to continue. If we have fewer significant customers, we may be more reliant on such large customers and our bargaining position and profit margins may suffer. Increased competition is likely to result in price reductions, reduced gross profit as a percentage of net sales and loss of market share, any one of which could materially harm our business, cash flows and financial condition, including potential impairment in value of our tangible and intangible assets and goodwill if extended losses were incurred.

Sales in China have historically accounted for a material portion of our total sales, and our business, financial condition and results of operations are to a significant degree subject to economic, political and social events, and the performance of our senior management team in China.

        Approximately $560.5 million, or 23%, $785.5 million, or 32%, and $870.6 million, or 30% of our sales for years 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were generated in China. While we have expanded into other markets, we have made substantial investments in China and, therefore, our business, financial condition and results of operations are to a significant degree subject to economic, political, legal and social developments and other events in China. In addition, we have had significant changes within our senior management team in China recently, and our current senior management team as a whole does not have the same degree of experience in China as our senior management team had in the past. (See the risk factor entitled "Our success depends on continuing to hire and retain qualified personnel, including for senior management positions, and if we are not successful in attracting and retaining these personnel and in managing key employee turnover, our business will suffer"). If our current senior management in China cannot maintain and /or establish key relationships with customers, governmental entities and others in China, our business in China may decline significantly. If our business in China declines, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be significantly harmed.

The average selling prices of our products may decrease, which may reduce our revenues and our gross profit. As a result, we must introduce new products and reduce our costs in order to maintain profitability.

        The average selling prices for communications access and switching systems and handsets have historically declined as a result of a number of factors, including:

•

increased competition;



•

aggressive price reductions by competitors;



•

rapid technological change; and



•

constant change in customer buying behavior and market trends.

        The average selling prices of our products may continue to decrease in the future in response to product introductions by us or our competitors or other factors, including price pressures from customers. Certain of our products, including wireless handsets, have historically had low gross profit margins, and any further deterioration of our profit margins on such products could result in losses with respect to such products. Therefore, we must continue to develop, source and introduce new products and enhancements to existing products that incorporate features that can be sold at higher average selling prices. Failure to do so or the failure of consumers or our direct customers to accept such new products could cause our revenues and gross profit to decline.

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        Our cost reduction efforts initiated in 2005 and our subsequent efforts in 2007 and early 2008 may not allow us to keep pace with competitive pricing pressures or lead to improved gross profit, as a percentage of net sales. In order to be competitive, we must continually reduce the cost of manufacturing our products through design and engineering changes. We may not be successful in these efforts or in delivering our products to market in a timely manner. In addition, any redesign may not result in sufficient cost reductions to allow us to reduce the prices of our products to remain competitive or to improve or maintain our gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, which would cause our financial results to suffer.

Our market is subject to rapid technological change, and to compete effectively, we must continually introduce new products and product enhancements that achieve market acceptance.

        The market for communications equipment is characterized by rapid technological developments, frequent new product introductions, changes in consumer preferences and evolving industry and regulatory standards. Our success will depend in large part on our ability to enhance our technologies and develop and introduce new products and product enhancements that anticipate changing service provider requirements, technological developments and evolving consumer preferences. We may need to make substantial capital expenditures and incur significant research and development costs to develop and introduce new products and enhancements. If we fail to develop and introduce new products or enhancements to existing products that effectively respond to technological change on a timely basis, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Certain of our products, including wireless handsets, have a short product life. Moreover, from time to time, our competitors or we may announce new products or product enhancements, technologies or services that have the potential to replace or shorten the life cycles of our products and that may cause customers to defer purchasing our existing products, resulting in charges for inventory obsolescence reserves. Future technological advances in the communications industry may diminish or inhibit market acceptance of our existing or future products or render our products obsolete. Even if we are able to develop and introduce new products, they may not gain market acceptance. Market acceptance of our products will depend on various factors, including:

•

our ability to obtain necessary approvals from regulatory organizations within the countries in which we operate and for any new technologies that we introduce;



•

the length of time it takes service providers to evaluate our products, causing the timing of purchases to be unpredictable;



•

the compatibility of our products with legacy technologies and standards existing in previously deployed network equipment;



•

our ability to attract customers who may have pre-existing relationships with our competitors;



•

product pricing relative to performance;



•

the level of customer service available to support new products; and



•

the timing of new product introductions meeting demand patterns.

        If our products fail to obtain market acceptance in a timely manner, our business and results of operations could suffer.

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We depend on some sole source and key suppliers for handsets, base stations, components and materials used in our products. If we cannot secure adequate supplies of high quality products at competitive prices or in a timely manner from these suppliers or sources, or if the suppliers successfully market their products directly to our customers, our competitive position, reputation and business could be harmed.

        We have contracts with a limited group of suppliers to purchase some components and materials used in our products. If any supplier is unwilling or unable to provide us with high-quality components and materials in the quantities required and at the costs specified by us, we may not be able to find alternative sources on favorable terms, in a timely manner, or at all. Further, a supplier could market its products directly to our customers. The possibility of a supplier marketing its own products would create direct competition and may affect our ability to obtain adequate supplies. Our inability to obtain or to develop alternative sources if and as required could result in delays or reductions in manufacturing or product shipments. From time to time, there could be shortages of certain products or components. Moreover, our suppliers may supply us with inferior quality products. If an inferior product supplied by a third party is embedded in our end product and causes a problem, it might be difficult to identify the source of the problem as being due to the component parts. If any of these events occur, our competitive position, reputation and business could suffer.

        Our ability to source a sufficient quantity of high-quality, cost-effective components used in our products may also be limited by import restrictions and duties in the foreign countries in which we manufacture our products. We require a significant number of imported components to manufacture our products, and imported electronic components and other imported goods used in the operation of our business may be limited by a variety of permit requirements, approval procedures, patent infringement claims, import duties and licensing requirements. As an example, a recent court case between a third party and one of our suppliers involved a patent dispute potentially restricting the importation of handsets into the U.S. While this case has been resolved in the supplier's favor at the trial court level, our supply of products could be affected by similar cases in the future. Moreover, import duties on such components increase the cost of our products and may make them less competitive.

We face risks related to pending governmental inquiries.

        In September 2005, we received notice of a formal inquiry by the staff of the Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") into certain aspects of our financial disclosures during prior reporting periods and certain other issues. In addition, in December 2005, the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia informed us that it had forwarded to the Department of Justice ("DOJ") allegations that an agent of our Mongolia joint venture had offered payments to a Mongolian government official in possible violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA"). We, through our Audit Committee, authorized an independent investigation into possible violations of the FCPA, and we have been in contact with the DOJ and SEC regarding the investigation. The investigation has identified possible FCPA violations in Mongolia, Southeast Asia, India and China, as well as possible violations of U.S. immigration laws. The DOJ has requested that the Company voluntarily produce documents related to the investigation, the SEC has subpoenaed the Company for documents, and we have received a Grand Jury Subpoena requiring the production of documents related to one aspect of the DOJ investigation, that is, certain training programs we have sponsored. The Company has executed tolling agreements extending the statute of limitations for the FCPA issues under investigation by the SEC and the DOJ and the immigration issues under investigation by the DOJ. At this time, we cannot predict when any inquiry will be completed or what the outcome of any inquiry will be. These inquiries could harm relationships with existing customers and our ability to obtain new customers and partners. If the SEC or the DOJ makes a determination that we have violated federal laws, we may face sanctions including, but not limited to, fines, disgorgement and an injunction. Additionally, such a determination by the

24

SEC or the DOJ could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows, and ultimately our stock price.

        We have also been in communication with the SEC regarding our voluntary review of our historical option grant awards grant practices and our review of certain historical sales contracts in China. Although we have now completed both of those voluntary reviews, it is possible that the SEC may question the findings of our reviews or initiate its own review into related matters.

        It is possible that the findings and outcome of any of these inquiries may affect other lawsuits that are pending. These inquiries could divert management attention and resources, which could harm our business.

Product defects or performance quality issues could cause us to lose customers and revenue or to incur unexpected expenses.

        Many of our products are highly complex and may have quality deficiencies resulting from the design or manufacture of such product, or from the software or components used in the product. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2005, we recorded warranty charges of $70.6 million, including special warranty charges of $11.7 million for certain asynchronous digital subscriber line ("ADSL") products, $4.0 million for NetRing™ equipment and $14.9 million for GEPON equipment sold to SBBC, an affiliate of SOFTBANK CORP and SOFTBANK America Inc. Often these issues are identified prior to the shipment of the products and may cause delays in market acceptance of our products, delays in shipping products to customers, or the cancellation of orders. In other cases, we may identify the quality issues after the shipment of products. In such cases, we may incur unexpected expenses and diversion of resources to replace defective products or correct problems. Such pre-shipment and post-shipment quality issues could result in delays in the recognition of revenue, loss of revenue or future orders, and damage to our reputation and customer relationships. In addition, we may be required to pay damages for failed performance under certain customer contracts, and may receive claims from customers related to the performance of our products.

Our global diversification strategy and growth has strained our resources, adversely affected our reported gross margins, and if we are unable to manage this growth, our future operating results will be further negatively affected.

        Over the last few years we have experienced a rapid expansion of our international operations and anticipate that we must continue to transform our operations to address market demands and potential market opportunities globally.

        Competition in international markets for new service provider customers and for new infrastructure deployments is particularly intense and increasingly focused on price. To meet competitive offerings we may accept contracts with low profitability or even enter into contracts with anticipated losses if we believe it is necessary to establish a relationship with a customer or a presence in a market that we consider important to our international expansion strategy. We believe these decisions will facilitate the development of our international business, but we can provide no assurance that they will. Accepting a contract with an anticipated loss requires us to recognize a provision for the entire loss, if reasonably estimable, in the period in which it becomes evident rather than in later periods in which contract performance occurs. For example, during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, we recorded a loss of $32.1 million and $6.2 million, respectively, on a fixed price contract. Accepting contracts with low gross margins adversely affects our reported results when the revenues from such contracts are recognized; in some cases revenue recognition must be deferred until all revenue recognition criteria have been met, and this would result in recognizing the adverse effects of low gross margin contracts in periods subsequent to when contract performance occurred.

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        Our transformation to a global focus will place a significant strain on our management, operational, financial and other resources. To manage this transformation effectively, we will need to take various actions, including:

•

enhancing management information systems, including forecasting procedures;



•

further developing our operating, administrative, financial and accounting systems and controls;



•

managing our working capital and sources of financing;



•

maintaining close coordination among our engineering, accounting, finance, marketing, sales and operations organizations;



•

retaining, training and managing our employee base;



•

enhancing human resource operations and improving employee hiring and training programs;



•

reorganizing our business structure to more effectively allocate and utilize our internal resources;



•

improving and sustaining our supply chain capability; and



•

managing both our direct and indirect sales channels in a cost-efficient and competitive manner.

        If we fail to implement or improve systems or controls or to manage any future growth and transformation effectively, our business could suffer.

Any failure by us to execute successfully on our business plan, including our cost reduction strategy, could result in total costs and expenses that are greater than expected which would adversely affect our operating results.

        Management has undertaken a significant review of our business and has developed an operating plan that it believes will address our cash requirements for the next 12 months. Such plans, among other actions, include divesting our noncore assets and operations. In the past, we have undertaken restructuring plans to bring operational expenses to appropriate levels for each of our businesses, while simultaneously implementing extensive new company-wide expense-control programs. For example, in October 2007, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan which included a worldwide reduction in force of approximately 11% of the Company's headcount, or approximately 700 employees. We anticipate taking additional rebalancing actions in the future in order to address our cash flow requirements, including further work force reductions if required. We expect cost savings from planned restructuring activities to provide liquidity for operations, to be used to offset market forces or to be reinvested in our businesses to strengthen our competitiveness, but we cannot be certain that we will be successful in these efforts. Significant risks associated with these actions and other workforce management issues that may impair our ability to successfully implement our business plan and achieve anticipated cost reductions or that may otherwise harm our business include delays in implementation of anticipated workforce reductions in highly regulated locations outside of the United States, particularly in Europe and Asia, redundancies among restructuring programs, decreases in employee morale and the failure to meet operational targets or respond rapidly to future growth opportunities due to the loss of employees, particularly sales employees. Moreover, our management must devote significant time and attention to any corporate restructuring, and, if it becomes necessary to undertake additional restructuring measures, management may not be able to devote sufficient time and attention to our core operations. If we are unable to realize anticipated cost reductions at the level currently contemplated, or if it becomes necessary to undertake additional restructuring measures, our results of operations will be harmed. In addition, our ability to retain key employees may be adversely affected by our restructuring plans.

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Our success depends on continuing to hire and retain qualified personnel, including for senior management positions, and if we are not successful in attracting and retaining these personnel and in managing key employee turnover, our business will suffer.

        The success of our business depends in significant part upon the continued contributions of key technical and senior management personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace. In particular, our success depends in large part on the knowledge, expertise and services of Hong Liang Lu, our Chief Executive Officer, Peter Blackmore, our President and Chief Operating Officer, Francis P. Barton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Philip Christopher, President and Chief Executive Officer of our Personal Communications Division. The loss of any key employee, the failure of any key employee to perform satisfactorily in his or her current position or our failure to attract and retain other key technical and senior management employees could have a significant negative impact on our operations. We have had significant changes within our senior management team recently, and our current senior management team as a whole does not have the same degree of experience in China as our senior management had in the past. If our current senior management cannot maintain and/or establish key relationships with customers, governmental entities and others in China, our business in China may decline significantly and our financial condition and results of operations may be significantly harmed.

        Notwithstanding our workforce restructurings, to effectively manage our operations, we will need to recruit, train, assimilate, motivate and retain qualified employees both locally and internationally. Competition for qualified employees is intense, and the process of recruiting personnel in all fields, including technology, research and development, sales and marketing, administration and management with the combination of skills and attributes required to execute our business strategy can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As we grow globally, we must implement hiring and training processes that are capable of quickly deploying qualified local residents to knowledgeably support our products and services. Alternatively, if there is an insufficient number of qualified local residents available, we might incur substantial costs importing expatriates to service new global markets. For example, we have historically experienced difficulty finding qualified accounting personnel knowledgeable in both U.S. and Chinese accounting standards who are Chinese residents. If we fail to attract, hire, assimilate or retain qualified personnel, our business would be harmed. Competitors and others have in the past, and may in the future, attempt to recruit our employees. In addition, companies in the telecommunications industry whose employees accept positions with competitors frequently claim that the competitors have engaged in unfair hiring practices. We may be the subject of these types of claims in the future as we seek to hire qualified personnel. Some of these claims may result in material litigation and disruption to our operations. We could incur substantial costs in defending ourselves against these claims, regardless of their merit.

Any acquisitions and divestitures that we undertake could be difficult to integrate, disrupt our business, require significant attention of management, distract our employees, dilute our stockholders and harm our operating results.

        We have in the past acquired and divested certain businesses, products and technologies and currently plan to divest noncore assets and operations in order to address our liquidity requirements. Anticipated benefits of acquisitions and divestitures may not be realized. Our divestiture plans have in the past and will require in the future a significant diversion of management's time and attention from other business concerns and, in addition, may distract our employees away from our operations, harm our reputation, increase our expenses and result in recording significant losses upon consummation of such divestitures.

        We have in the past and will continue to evaluate acquisition prospects that would complement our existing product offerings, augment our market coverage, enhance our technological capabilities, or that may otherwise offer growth opportunities. Acquisitions may result in dilutive issuances of equity

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securities, use of our cash resources, the incurrence of debt and the amortization of expenses related to intangible assets. In addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of operations, technologies, products and personnel of the acquired company, diversion of management's attention from other business concerns, risks of entering markets in which we have no direct or limited prior experience, the potential loss of key employees of the acquired company, unanticipated costs and, in the case of the acquisition of financially troubled businesses, challenges as to the validity of such acquisitions from third party creditors of such businesses.

We may be unable to adequately protect the loss or misappropriation of our intellectual property, which could substantially harm our business.

        We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secret laws and contractual obligations to protect our technology. We have applied for patents in the United States and internationally. Additional patents may not be issued from our pending patent applications, and our issued patents may not be upheld. In addition, we have, from time to time, chosen to abandon previously filed patent and trademark applications. Moreover, we may face difficulties in registering our existing trademarks in new jurisdictions in which we operate, and we may be forced to abandon or change product or service trademarks because of the unavailability of our existing trademarks or because of oppositions filed or legal challenges to our trademark filings. We cannot guarantee that the intellectual property protection measures that we have taken will be sufficient to prevent misappropriation of our technology or trademarks or that our competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to ours. In addition, the legal systems of many foreign countries do not protect or honor intellectual property rights to the same extent as the legal system of the United States. For example, in China, the legal system in general, and the intellectual property regime in particular, are still in the development stage. It may be very difficult, time-consuming and costly for us to attempt to enforce our intellectual property rights in these jurisdictions.

We may be subject to claims that we infringe the intellectual property rights of others, which could substantially harm our business.

        The industry in which we compete is moving towards aggressive assertion, licensing, and litigation of patents and other intellectual property rights. From time to time, we have become aware of the possibility or have been notified that we may be infringing certain patents or other intellectual property rights of others. Regardless of their merit, responding to such claims could be time consuming, divert management's attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. In addition, although some of our supplier contracts provide for indemnification from the supplier with respect to losses or expenses incurred in connection with any infringement claim, certain contracts with our key suppliers do not provide for such protection. Moreover, certain of our sales contracts provide that we must indemnify our customers against claims by third parties for intellectual property rights infringement related to our products. There are no limitations on the maximum potential future payments under these guarantees. Therefore, we may incur substantial costs related to any infringement claim, which may substantially harm our results of operations and financial condition.

        We have been and may in the future become subject to litigation to defend against claimed infringements of the rights of others or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. Future litigation may also be necessary to enforce and protect our patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights. Any intellectual property litigation or threatened intellectual property litigation could be costly, and adverse determinations or settlements could result in the loss of our proprietary rights, subject us to significant liabilities, require us to seek licenses from or pay royalties to third parties which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, and/or prevent us from manufacturing or selling our products, which could cause disruptions to our operations.

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        In the event that there is a successful claim of infringement against us and we fail to develop non-infringing technology or license the proprietary rights on commercially reasonable terms and conditions, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted.

Our multinational operations subject us to various economic, political, regulatory and legal risks.

        We market and sell our products globally, with a significant portion of our sales made in China. The expansion of our existing multinational operations and entry into new markets will require significant management attention and financial resources. Multinational operations are subject to a variety of risks, such as:

•

the burden of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations;



•

the burden of complying with United States laws and regulations for foreign operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;



•

difficulty complying with continually evolving and changing global product and communications standards and regulations for both our end products and their component technology;



•

market acceptance of our new products, including longer product acceptance periods in new markets into which we enter;



•

reliance on local original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), third party distributors and agents to effectively market and sell our products;



•

unusual contract terms required by customers in developing markets;



•

changes in local governmental control or influence over our customers;



•

changes to import and export regulations, including quotas, tariffs, licensing restrictions and other trade barriers;



•

the burden of compliance with complex and varying taxation requirements of multiple jurisdictions;



•

evolving and unpredictable nature of the economic, regulatory, competitive and political environments;



•

reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;



•

unproven business operation models developed or operated in specific countries or regions;



•

longer accounts receivable collection periods; and



•

difficulties and costs of staffing, monitoring and managing multinational operations, including but not limited to internal controls and compliance.

We are subject to risks related to our financial and strategic investments in third party businesses.

        From time to time we make financial and/or strategic investments in third party businesses. We cannot be certain that such investments will be successful. In certain instances we have lost part or all of the value of such investments, resulting in a financial loss and/or the loss of potential strategic opportunities. If we have to write-down or write-off such investments, or if potential strategic opportunities do not develop as planned, our financial performance may suffer. Moreover, these investments are often illiquid, such that it may be difficult or impossible for us to monetize such investments.

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        In certain cases, we have invested in third party businesses that are outside of the United States. In such cases, even if we are able to successfully liquidate such investments, it may be difficult for us to repatriate the proceeds of such investments to the United States in a prompt manner due to restrictions imposed by the local laws of the jurisdictions in which we invest. If we are unable to repatriate the proceeds of our investments promptly as needed, our business could suffer.

We do business in markets that are not fully developed, which subjects us to various economic, political, regulatory and legal risks unique to developing economies.

        Less developed markets present additional risks, such as the following:

•

customers that may be unable to pay for our products in a timely manner or at all;



•

new and unproven markets for our products and the telecommunications services that our products enable;



•

lack of a large, highly trained workforce;



•

difficulty in controlling local operations from our headquarters;



•

variable ethical standards and an increased potential for fraud;



•

unstable political and economic environments; and



•

lack of a secure environment for our personnel, facilities and equipment.

        In particular, these factors create the potential for physical loss of inventory and misappropriation of operating assets. We have in the past experienced cases of vandalism and armed theft of our equipment that had been or was being installed in the field. If disruptions for any of these reasons become too severe in any particular market, it may become necessary for us to terminate contracts and withdraw from that market and suffer the associated costs and lost revenue.

Our wireless handset products are subject to a wide range of environmental, health and safety laws, and may expose us to potential health and environmental liability claims.

        Our handset products are subject to a wide range of environmental, health and safety laws, including laws relating to the use, disposal and clean up of, and human exposure to hazardous substances. In the United States, these laws often require parties to fund remedial action regardless of fault. Factors such as the discovery of additional contaminants, the extent of remediation and compliance expenses, and the imposition of additional clean up obligations could cause us to incur substantial costs relating to remediation activities. Compliance with existing or future environmental, health and safety laws could also cause us to incur substantial costs relating to such compliance, including the expense of modifying product designs and manufacturing processes. In addition, restrictions on the use of certain materials in our facilities or products in the future could have a negative impact on our operations.

        Additionally, there have been claims made alleging a link between the use of wireless handsets and the development or aggravation of certain cancers, including brain cancer. The scientific community is divided on whether there is a risk from wireless handset use, and if so, the magnitude of the risk. Even if there is no link established between wireless handset use and cancer, the negative publicity and possible litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business. In the past, several plaintiffs' groups have brought class actions against wireless handset manufacturers and distributors, alleging that wireless handsets have caused cancer. To date, we have not been named in any of these actions and none of these actions has been successful. In the future we could incur substantial costs in defending ourselves against similar claims, regardless of their merit. Also, claims may be successful in the future and may have a material adverse effect on our business.

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        Furthermore, there have been claims made alleging a link between the use of Bluetooth enabled mobile phone handsets and noise-induced hearing loss. To date, we have not been named in any of these actions. In the future we could incur substantial costs in defending ourselves against similar claims, regardless of their merit. Also, claims may be successful in the future and may have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to a wide range of environmental, health and safety laws and efforts to comply with such laws may be costly and may adversely impact our financial performance.

        Our operations and the products we manufacture and/or sell are subject to a wide range of global environmental, health and safety laws. Compliance with existing or future environmental, health and safety laws could subject us to future costs, liabilities, impact our production capabilities, constrict our ability to sell, expand or acquire facilities and generally impact our financial performance. Some of these laws relate to the use, disposal, clean up of, and exposure to hazardous substances. In the United States, laws often require parties to fund remedial studies or action regardless of fault. Over the last several years, the European Union (the "EU") countries have enacted environmental laws regulating electronic products. For example, beginning July 1, 2006, our products have been subject to laws that mandate the recycling of waste in electronic products sold in the EU and that limit or prohibit the use of certain substances in electronic products. Other countries outside of Europe are expected to adopt similar laws. We may incur additional expenses to comply with these laws.

Currency rate fluctuations and exchange controls may adversely affect our cash flow and operating results.

        Because a significant percentage of our sales are made in foreign countries and denominated in local currency, we are exposed to market risk for changes in foreign exchange rates on our foreign currency denominated accounts and notes receivable balances. Historically, the majority of our foreign sales have been made in China and denominated in Renminbi. Prior to July 2005, the impact of currency fluctuations of Renminbi were insignificant as it was fixed to the U.S. dollar. However, in July 2005, China uncoupled the Renminbi from the U.S. dollar and let it float in a narrow band against a basket of foreign currencies. The move revalued the Renminbi by 2.1% against the U.S. dollar; however, it is uncertain what further adjustments may be made in the future. The Renminbi-U.S. dollar exchange rate could float, and the Renminbi could appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar. For example, the Renminbi-U.S. dollar exchange rate was 8.28 to the U.S. dollar prior to the float of the Renminbi in July 2005 and 7.29 Renminbi to the U.S. dollar at December 31, 2007. Any significant revaluation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues, operating results and financial position.

        Outside of China, our primary foreign currency exposures have related to non-dollar denominated sales and purchases in Japan, Europe, Canada and India. Additionally, we have exposures to emerging market currencies, which can have extreme currency volatility. We have experienced material adverse impacts on our results of operations from fluctuations in currency exchange rates and may continue to do so in the future.

        We may, from time to time, enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to minimize the short-term impact of foreign currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency receivables and payables. Our attempts to hedge against these risks may not be successful, resulting in an adverse impact on our results of operations. Moreover, some of the foreign countries in which we do business might impose currency restrictions that may limit the ability of our subsidiaries and joint ventures in such countries to obtain and remit foreign currency necessary for the purchase of imported components and may limit our ability to obtain and remit foreign currency in exchange for foreign earnings. For example, China employs currency controls restricting Renminbi conversion, limiting our ability to engage in currency hedging activities in China. Various foreign exchange controls may also make it difficult for us to

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repatriate earnings, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct business globally.

Business interruptions could adversely affect our business.

        Our operations are vulnerable to interruption by fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failure, external interference with our information technology systems, incidents of terrorism and other events beyond our control. For example, our Hangzhou manufacturing facility's ability to produce sufficient products is dependent upon a continuous power supply. However, the Hangzhou facility has in the past been subject to power shortages, which has affected our ability to produce and ship sufficient products. Also, our operations in Alameda, California are located in an area prone to earthquakes. We do not have a detailed disaster recovery plan, and the occurrence of any events like these that disrupt our business could harm our business and operating results.

We may suffer losses with respect to equipment held at customer sites, which could harm our business.

        We face the risk of loss relating to our equipment held at customer sites. In some cases, our equipment held at customer sites is under contract, pending final acceptance by the customer. We generally do not hold title or risk of loss on such equipment, as title and risk of loss are typically transferred to the customer upon delivery of our equipment. However, we do not recognize revenue and accounts receivable with respect to the sale of such equipment until we obtain acceptance from the customer. If we do not obtain final acceptance, we may not be able to collect the contract price and recover this equipment or its associated costs. In other cases, particularly in China, where governmental approval is required to finalize certain contracts, inventory not under contract may be held at customer sites. We hold title and risk of loss on this inventory until the contracts are finalized and, as such, are subject to any losses incurred resulting from any damage to or loss of this inventory.

        If our contract negotiations fail or if the government of China otherwise delays approving contracts, we may not recover or receive payment for this inventory. Moreover, our insurance may not cover all losses incurred if our inventory at customer sites not under contract is damaged prior to contract finalization. If we incur a loss relating to inventory for any of the above reasons, our financial condition, cash flows, and operating results could be harmed.

Restrictions on the use of handsets while driving a motor vehicle could affect our future growth.

        Several foreign governments and U.S. state and local governments have adopted or are considering adopting legislation that would restrict or prohibit the use of wireless handsets while driving a motor vehicle. Widespread legislation that restricts or prohibits the use of wireless handsets while driving could negatively affect our future growth.

We have been named as a defendant in securities litigation and other lawsuits, as well as lawsuits in the ordinary course of business.

        Currently, we are a defendant in securities litigation class action lawsuits, as well as other lawsuits. Additionally, from time to time we are plaintiffs or defendants in other lawsuits including lawsuits in the ordinary course of our business. The pursuit or defense of these lawsuits may divert our management's attention, and we may incur significant expenses in pursuing or defending these lawsuits. In addition, we may be required to pay judgments or settlements that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

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Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

        Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("Sarbanes-Oxley Act") requires that we establish and maintain an effective internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting and include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting. Our annual report on Form 10-K must contain an assessment by management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and must include disclosure of any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting that we have identified. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

        We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. See "Part II Item 9A—Controls and Procedures—Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting." As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we are still in the process of implementing remedial measures related to the material weaknesses identified in 2004 through 2007. If our efforts to remediate the weaknesses we identified are not successful, our business and operating results could be harmed and the reliability of our financial statements could be impaired, which could adversely affect our stock price. The requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are ongoing and also apply to future years. We expect that our internal control over financial reporting will continue to evolve as we continue in our efforts to transform our business. Although we are committed to continue to improve our internal control processes and we will continue to diligently and vigorously review our internal control over financial reporting in order to ensure compliance with the Section 404 requirements, any control system, regardless of how well designed, operated and evaluated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. In addition, successful remediation of the noted control deficiencies is dependent on the Company's ability to hire and retain qualified personnel. Therefore, we cannot be certain that in the future additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies will not exist or otherwise be discovered.

RISKS RELATED TO CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN CHINA

China's governmental and regulatory reforms may impact our ability to do business in China.

        Since 1978, the Chinese government has been in a state of evolution and reform. The reforms have resulted in and are expected to continue to result in significant economic and social development in China. Many of the reforms are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject to change or readjustment due to a variety of political, economic and social factors. Multiple government bodies are involved in regulating and administering affairs in the telecommunications and information technology industries, among which the Ministry of Information Industry ("MII"), the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC"), the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission ("SASAC") and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television ("SARFT") play the leading roles. These government agencies have broad discretion and authority over all aspects of the telecommunications and information technology industry in China, including but not limited to, setting the telecommunications tariff structure, granting carrier licenses and frequencies, approving equipment and products, granting product licenses, approving of the form and content of transmitted data, specifying technological standards as well as appointing carrier executives, all of which may impact our ability to do business in China.

        Any of the following changes in China's political and economic conditions and governmental policies could have a substantial impact on our business:

•

the promulgation of new laws and regulations and the interpretation of those laws and regulations;

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•

inconsistent enforcement and application of the telecommunications industry's rules and regulations by the Chinese government between foreign and domestic companies;



•

the restructuring of telecommunications carriers in China, including policy making governing 3G network infrastructure and licensing;



•

restrictions on IPTV license grants, which could limit the potential market for our products;



•

the introduction of measures to control inflation or stimulate growth;



•

the introduction of new guidelines for tariffs and service rates, which affect our ability to competitively price our products and services;



•

changes in the rate or method of taxation;



•

the imposition of laws, rules or regulations affecting the direct or indirect nationalization of assets controlled by non-governmental persons or entities;



•

the imposition of additional restrictions on currency conversion and remittances abroad; or



•

any actions that limit our ability to develop, manufacture, import or sell our products in China, or to finance and operate our business in China.

        In addition to modifying the existing telecommunications regulatory framework, the Chinese government is currently preparing a draft of a standard, national telecommunications law ("Telecommunications Law") to provide a uniform regulatory framework for the telecommunications industry. Currently a draft of the law has been finished and delivered to the National People's Congress for discussion. We do not yet know the final nature or scope of the regulations that would be created if the Telecommunications Law is passed. Accordingly, we cannot predict whether it will have a positive or negative effect on us or on some or all aspects of our business.

        Under China's current regulatory structure, the communications products that we offer in China must meet government and industry standards. In addition, a network access license for the equipment must be obtained. Without a license, telecommunications equipment is not allowed to be connected to public telecommunications networks or sold in China. Moreover, we must ensure that the quality of the telecommunications equipment for which we have obtained a network access license is stable and reliable, and will not negatively affect the quality or performance of other installed licensed products.

China's changing economic environment may impact our ability to do business in China.

        Since 1978, the Chinese government has been reforming the economic system in China to increase the emphasis placed on decentralization and the utilization of market forces in the development of China's economy. These reforms have resulted in significant economic growth. However, any economic reform policies or measures in China may from time to time be modified or revised by the Chinese government. While we may be able to benefit from the effects of some of these policies, these policies and other measures taken by the Chinese government to regulate the economy could also have a significant negative impact on economic conditions in China, which would result in a negative impact on our business.

China's entry into the World Trade Organization and relaxation of trade restrictions have led to increased foreign investment in China's telecommunications industry and may lead to increased competition in our markets which may have an adverse impact on our business.

        China's economic environment has been changing as a result of China's entry, in December of 2001, into the World Trade Organization ("WTO"). Foreign investment in the telecommunications sector is regulated by the "Provisions on Administration of Foreign Invested Telecommunications Enterprises" promulgated by the State Council in December 2001 and effective as of January 1, 2002.

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The provisions brought foreign equity limits into conformity with China's WTO commitments, allowing foreign investors to own equity generally up to 49% for basic telecom services enterprises and up to 50% for value-added telecom services enterprises. Furthermore, China is gradually introducing a market oriented pricing mechanism for telecommunication services. On July 13, 2005, China's Ministry of Information Industry ("MII") and National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") approved the launch of plan-based pricing for fixed-line telephone service by China's two fixed-line operators, China Telecom and China Netcom. In August 2005, MII and NDRC endorsed a "Circular on the Changes in Administration of Telecom Service Pricing," which became effective on October 1, 2005 and further relaxed the pricing administration on certain telecom services. As China gradually relaxes such legal provisions, international telecommunication service vendors may seize this opportunity to adjust their China strategy, increasing their investment in China and converting some of their joint-ventures into fully-owned enterprises.

        As the existing international vendors increase their investment in China, and more vendors enter the China market, the competition in the telecommunication equipment market may increase, and as a result, our business may suffer. If China's entry into the WTO results in increased competition or has a negative impact on China's economy, our business could suffer. In addition, although China is increasingly according foreign companies and foreign investment enterprises established in China the same rights and privileges as Chinese domestic companies as a result of its admission into the WTO, special laws, administrative rules and regulations governing foreign companies and foreign investment enterprises in China may still place foreign companies at a disadvantage in relation to Chinese domestic companies and may adversely affect our competitive position.

Uncertainties with respect to the Chinese legal system may adversely affect us.

        We conduct our business in China primarily through our wholly owned subsidiaries incorporated in China. Our subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. Accordingly, our business might be affected by China's developing legal system. Since 1978, many new laws and regulations covering general economic matters have been promulgated in China, and government policies and internal rules promulgated by governmental agencies may not be published in time, or at all. As a result, we may operate our business in violation of new rules and policies without having any knowledge of their existence. In addition, there are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of laws, rules and policies in China. Governmental authorities have broad discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of the laws, regulations and rules. The Chinese legal system is based on written statutes, and prior court decisions have limited precedential value. Because many laws and regulations are relatively new and the Chinese legal system is still evolving, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform. Moreover, the relative inexperience of China's judiciary in many cases creates additional uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation, and the interpretation of statutes and regulations may be subject to government policies reflecting domestic political changes. Finally, enforcement of existing laws or contracts based on existing law may be uncertain and sporadic, and it may be difficult to obtain swift and equitable enforcement, or to obtain enforcement of a judgment by a court of another jurisdiction. Any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management's attention.

If tax benefits available to our subsidiaries located in China are reduced or repealed, we could face higher tax rates which may have an adverse impact on our business.

        On March 16, 2007, China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, passed the China Corporate Income Tax Law ("CIT Law"). CIT Law is effective on January 1, 2008. Under the CIT Law, China's dual tax system for domestic enterprises and foreign investment enterprises ("FIEs") would be effectively replaced by a unified system. The new law establishes a tax rate of 25% for most enterprises and a reduced tax rate of 15% for certain qualified high- and new- technology enterprises.

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        Prior to January 1, 2008, certain subsidiaries and joint ventures located in China enjoyed tax benefits in China which were generally available to FIEs. The tax holidays/incentives for FIEs were applicable to UTStarcom Chongqing Telecom Co. Ltd. ("CUTS"), UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd. ("HUTS"), Hangzhou UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd. ("HSTC") and UTStarcom China Co., Ltd. ("UTSC"), our active subsidiaries in China, because these entities could qualify as accredited technologically advanced enterprises.

        CIT Law allows certain qualified high- and new- technology enterprises to pay a reduced 15% tax rate. For FIEs established before the promulgation of the new law who were eligible for lower tax rates prior to January 1, 2008, their tax rates would be gradually increased to 25% over five years commencing from January 1, 2008. Based on the CIT Law, the Company's subsidiaries have not qualified for reduced 15% tax rate. However, significant regulations regarding the interpretation and implementation of the new tax law are still pending and it is not clear whether the Company's subsidiaries may qualify for the reduced 15% tax rate in the future.

        The Chinese central government may review and audit tax benefits granted by local or provincial authorities and could determine to disallow such benefits. Certain of our subsidiaries and joint ventures located in China enjoy tax benefits in China that are generally available to foreign investment enterprises. If these tax benefits are reduced, disallowed or repealed due to changes in tax laws or determinations by the Chinese government, we could face higher tax rates which may have an adverse impact on our business.

Our ability to continue successful deployment of PAS system and sales of PAS handsets are limited by certain factors, including the following:

Maturing PAS market and increased competition in handsets and tariffs.

        The market for PAS was estimated to be 87 million users as of the end of fiscal year 2007 and is available in most of the provinces throughout China. We believe the PAS market has matured. For example, during fiscal year 2005, net sales of the PAS/iPAS system and the wireless infrastructure market declined significantly as compared to fiscal year 2004. The overall market for PAS continued to decline through fiscal years 2006 and 2007. If additional handset competitors enter the market, or if competitors decide to further reduce pricing, our sales of PAS handsets may be adversely impacted.

        Furthermore, competition from mobile operators, such as China Mobile and China Unicom, has increased in cities where PAS is deployed. Mobile operators offering special promotional pricing or incentives to customers, such as free incoming calls or free mobile-to-mobile calls, have harmed the ability of our customers, China Telecom and China Netcom, to compete effectively. The continued use of such incentive programs by mobile operators may adversely impact China Telecom and China Netcom's ability to increase PAS subscriptions. Due to our relationships with China Telecom and China Netcom, reduced subscription growth at these carriers may have a material adverse effect on our pricing and harm our business or results of operations.

Our PAS system and handsets sales may experience a sharp decline if China Telecom or China Netcom obtain licenses allowing them to deliver mobile services or the integration of the telecom operators.

        China's media sources have widely reported that the MII may grant 3G mobile licenses to China Telecom or China Netcom, or both. If China Telecom or China Netcom obtains 3G mobile licenses, they may re-allocate capital expenditures to construct 3G networks, and as a consequence, may significantly reduce capital expenditures relating to PAS networks that utilize our existing products. In addition, it is possible that current PAS frequency bands utilized by PAS networks may be reallocated for use by 3G networks, resulting in the restriction of or shutting down of PAS networks. If this were to occur, we could lose current and potential future customers of our products, and our financial condition and results of operations could be significantly harmed.

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        It is widely reported that China is intending to integrate the existing telecom operators which include our two primary customers, China Telecom and China Netcom. Some media sources have reported that it is possible that both China Telecom or China Netcom will be integrated with other telecom operators which engage in wireless business. If this were to occur, we could lose current and potential future customers of our products and our financial condition and results of operations could be significantly harmed.

We only have trial licenses for the PAS system and handsets in China.

        We only have trial licenses for our PAS systems and handsets. We have applied for, but have not yet received, a final official network access license for our PAS systems and handsets. Based upon communication with the MII, we understand that our PAS systems and handsets are considered to still be in the trial period and sales of our PAS systems and handsets may continue to be made by us during this trial period, but that licenses will ultimately be required. If we fail to obtain the required licenses, we could be prohibited from making further sales of the unlicensed products, including our PAS systems and handsets, in China, which would substantially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. The regulations implementing these requirements are not very detailed, have not been applied by a court and may be interpreted and enforced by regulatory authorities in a number of different ways. Our external legal counsel in China has advised us that China's governmental authorities may interpret or apply the regulations with respect to which licenses are required and the ability to sell a product while a product is in the trial period in a manner that is inconsistent with the information received by our legal counsel in China, and either of these conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Increasing centralization of purchasing decision-making by carriers may lead to customer concentration and affect the results of our business.

        Most Chinese carriers have three levels of operations: the central headquarters level, the provincial level and the local city/county level. Both central and provincial levels are independent legal persons and have their own corporate mandate. The purchasing decision-making process may take various forms for different projects and may also differ significantly from carrier to carrier. In the case of PAS systems, we negotiate and enter into all China Netcom contracts with the provincial operators. However, the central headquarters of China Telecom has chosen to exert its influence in the purchasing decision-making process by negotiating contractual terms, such as purchase price, payment terms, and acceptance clauses at the central level. The provincial operator then further negotiates the contract based on the guidelines provided by the headquarters. We enter into final contracts with the provincial operator. However, if this trend of centralized decision-making expands to unified purchasing, resulting in the negotiation and execution of contracts at the central headquarter level, there may be a concentration of customers which could have a significant impact on our business. If China Netcom follows China Telecom and exerts the headquarters' influence in price negotiation, it may give downward pressure to the margin of our PAS system products to China Netcom.

Television over the internet is a new business in China and laws regulating the business have not been fully developed and may be unpredictable. Unfavorable regulation of the industry may adversely affect our IPTV operations in China and negatively impact our business.

        Broadcasting television over the internet has only recently begun in China. SARFT, the central government's regulatory body, issued a measure in July 2004 to regulate the broadcasting of audio-visual programs through the information network, which includes our Internet Protocol television (IPTV) business. SARFT categorized the information network into the mobile telecommunication network, fixed communications network, microwave communication network, cable television network, satellite or other metropolitan area network, wide area network, local area network and other

37

information networks categories. The equipment that receives information from these networks includes computers, television sets, mobile phones and other electronic products. In December 2007, MII and SARFT jointly issued a measure to regulate the service of audio-visual programs on the internet, which also includes our IPTV business. This measure requires the entities engaged in the services of audio-visual program on the internet to be owned or controlled by the State owned entities. While regulating the IPTV business, SARFT is encouraging development in China of the digital television business, a business that may be competitive with IPTV in the target market. The digital television and IPTV target complementary markets and it is not clear the extent of support SARFT will provide for IPTV in setting regulations. For example, the Zhejiang Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, the local regulatory body in the province of Zhejiang, issued a similar notice on January 10, 2006. In both instances, SARFT had not formally endorsed the launch of commercial IPTV services in those localities. Because the IPTV industry relates to both television and telecom sectors, it may be subject to regulation by different governmental authorities, including MII. However, due to a lack of uniform regulation on the development of the IPTV industry, we cannot predict that our IPTV business will operate smoothly in China. Our business may suffer if the law or policy in China does not encourage the IPTV industry.

We currently do not have a license to engage in the IPTV operator service business in China and development of our IPTV business depends upon the cooperation of IPTV license holder(s) and network operators. If we are unable to work cooperatively with license holder(s) and network operators, our business may suffer.

        Under the measures issued by SARFT in July 2004, entities intending to engage in the IPTV operator service business should obtain a license from SARFT and foreign investment enterprises are prohibited from engaging in the IPTV operator service business. The new measure jointly issued by MII and SARFT indicates that SARFT will only grant such licenses to state-owned companies. Since we are the technical service and equipment provider in this field, our business development will depend on the cooperation of license holders and network operators. Our business may suffer if we fail to cooperate with license holders or network operators, or if the license holder(s) we're cooperating with lose their licenses.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR STOCK PERFORMANCE

Our stock price is highly volatile.

        The trading price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly since our initial public offering in March of 2000. Our stock price could be subject to wide fluctuations in the future in response to many events or factors, including those discussed in the preceding risk factors relating to our operations, as well as:

•

actual or anticipated fluctuations in operating results, actual or anticipated gross profit as a percentage of net sales, levels of inventory, our actual or anticipated rate of growth and our actual or anticipated earnings per share;



•

changes in expectations as to future financial performance or changes in financial estimates or buy/sell recommendations of securities analysts;



•

changes in governmental regulations or policies in China;



•

our, or a competitor's, announcement of new products, services or technological innovations;



•

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies; and



•

news and commentary emanating from the media, securities analysts or government bodies in China relating to us and to the industry in general.

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        General market conditions and domestic or international macroeconomic factors unrelated to our performance may also affect our stock price. For these reasons, investors should not rely on recent trends to predict future stock prices or financial results. In addition, following periods of volatility in a company's securities, securities class action litigation against a company is sometimes instituted. We have experienced substantial costs and the diversion of management's time and resources on this type of litigation and may do so in the future.

        In addition, public announcements by China Telecom, China Netcom, China Mobile, and China Unicom each of which exert significant influence over many of our major customers in China, may contribute to volatility in the price of our stock. The price of our stock may react to such announcements.

SOFTBANK CORP. with its related entities, including SOFTBANK America Inc., has significant influence over our management and affairs, which it could exercise against the best interests of our stockholders.

        SOFTBANK CORP. and its related entities, including SOFTBANK America Inc. (collectively, "SOFTBANK"), beneficially owned approximately 12% of our outstanding stock as of December 31, 2007. As a result, SOFTBANK has the ability to influence all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, as well as our management and affairs. Matters that could require stockholder approval include:

•

election and removal of directors;



•

our merger or consolidation with or into another entity; and



•

sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

        This concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change of control or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could decrease the market price of our common stock.

Delaware law and our charter documents contain provisions that could discourage or prevent a potential takeover, even if the transaction would benefit our stockholders.

        Other companies may seek to acquire or merge with us. Our acquisition or merger could result in benefits to our stockholders, including an increase in the value of our common stock. Some provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable. These provisions include:

•

authorizing the board of directors to issue additional preferred stock;



•

prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;



•

limiting the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders;



•

prohibiting stockholder action by written consent;



•

creating a classified board of directors pursuant to which our directors are elected for staggered three year terms; and



•

establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors and for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

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Our failure to timely file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission could result in the delisting of our common stock from the NASDAQ National Market and cause us to default on covenants contained in contractual arrangements.

        If we are unable to maintain compliance with the conditions for continued listing required by NASDAQ, then our shares of common stock may be subject to delisting from the NASDAQ Global Select Market. For example, as a result of our failure to timely file with the Securities and Exchange Commission our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, we were not in full compliance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(14), which requires us to make, on a timely basis, all filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. While we returned to full compliance with Nasdaq's listing requirements on October 19, 2007, we are required to comply with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4310(c) (14) as a condition for our common stock to continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. If our shares of common stock are delisted from the NASDAQ Global Market, our common stock may not be eligible to trade on any national securities exchange or the over-the counter market. If our common stock is no longer traded through a market system, the liquidity of our common stock may be greatly reduced, which could negatively affect its price. In addition, we may be unable to obtain future equity financing, or use our common stock as consideration for mergers or other business combinations. A delisting from the NASDAQ Global Select Market may also have other negative implications, including the potential loss of confidence by suppliers, customers and employees, the loss of institutional investor interest, and fewer business development opportunities.

ITEM 1B—UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

ITEM 2—PROPERTIES

        Our headquarters are located on a leased site in Alameda, California. Additionally, we operate facilities in the United States, China and globally consisting of office, research and development, warehousing and manufacturing sites primarily used jointly by our reporting segments.

        The headquarters for our China operations is located in Hangzhou. In 2001, we purchased the rights to use 49 acres of land located in Zhejiang Science and Technology Industry Garden of Hangzhou Hi-tech Industry Development Zone and have built a 2.7 million square foot facility on this site. The facility was occupied in October 2004 and is used for manufacturing operations, research and development and administrative offices. At the end of 2007, approximately two-thirds of the facility was being utilized.

        We lease approximately 1.1 million square feet of property, of which 0.5 million square feet are properties in China and 0.4 million square feet are properties in North America. We maintain 35 sales and customer support offices in 23 countries covering the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, India, and the Asia-Pacific region. We lease sales offices in 24 locations in China.

        We believe our facilities are suitable and adequate to meet our current needs.

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ITEM 3—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Securities Class Action Litigation

        Beginning in October 2004, several shareholder class action lawsuits alleging federal securities violations were filed against us and various officers and directors of our company. The actions have been consolidated in United States District Court for the Northern District of California under the caption In re UTStarcom, Inc. Securities Litigation, Master File No. C-04-4908-JW (PVT) (the "Consent"). The lead plaintiffs in the case filed a First Amended Consolidated Complaint on July 26, 2005. The First Amended Complaint alleged violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and was brought on behalf of a putative class of shareholders who purchased our stock after April 16, 2003 and before September 20, 2004. On April 13, 2006, the lead plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint adding new allegations and extending the end of the class period to October 6, 2005. In addition to the Company defendants, the plaintiffs are also suing Softbank. Plaintiffs' complaint seeks recovery of damages in an unspecified amount.

        On June 2, 2006, we and the individual defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. On March 21, 2007, the Court granted defendants' motion and dismissed plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint. The Court granted plaintiffs leave to file a Third Amended Complaint, which plaintiffs filed on May 25, 2007. On July 13, 2007, we and the individual defendants filed a motion to dismiss and a motion to strike the Third Amended Complaint. That motion has been briefed and argued, but has not yet been decided by the Court.

        On September 4, 2007, a second shareholder class action complaint captioned Peter Rudolph v. UTStarcom, et al., Case No. C-07-4578 SI, was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against us and some of our current and former directors and officers. The complaint alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 through undisclosed improper accounting practices concerning our historical equity award grants. Plaintiff seeks unspecified damages on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of our common stock between July 24, 2002 and September 4, 2007. On December 14, 2007, the Court appointed James R. Bartholomew lead plaintiff. On January 25, 2008, the lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint.

        Due to the preliminary status of these lawsuits and uncertainties related to litigation, we are unable to evaluate the likelihood of either a favorable or unfavorable outcome. Accordingly, we are unable at this time to estimate the effects of these complaints on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Governmental Investigations

        In September 2005, the Company received notice of a formal inquiry by the staff of the Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") into certain aspects of our financial disclosures during prior reporting periods and certain other issues. In addition, in December 2005, the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia informed us that it had forwarded to the Department of Justice ("DOJ") allegations that an agent of our Mongolia joint venture had offered payments to a Mongolian government official in possible violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA"). The Company, through its Audit Committee, authorized an independent investigation into possible violations of the FCPA, and it has been in contact with the DOJ and SEC regarding the investigation. The investigation has identified possible FCPA violations in Mongolia, Southeast Asia, India, and China, as well as possible violations of U.S. immigration laws. The DOJ has requested that the Company voluntarily produce documents related to the investigation, the SEC has subpoenaed the Company for documents, and the Company has received a Grand Jury Subpoena requiring the production of documents related to one aspect of the DOJ investigation, that is, training programs the Company has sponsored. The Company has executed tolling agreements extending the statute of limitations for the FCPA issues under investigation by the DOJ. Such proceedings may result in criminal or civil sanctions, penalties and disgorgements

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against the Company. If it is probable that an obligation of the Company exists and will result in an outflow of resources, a provision will be recorded if the amount can be reasonably estimated. Regulatory and legal proceedings as well as government investigation often involve complex legal issues and are subject to substantial uncertainties. Accordingly, management exercises considerable judgment in determining whether it is probable that such a proceeding will result in outflow of resources and whether the amount of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. The Company periodically reviews the status of these proceedings and these judgments are subject to change as new information becomes available. At this time, the Company cannot predict when any inquiry will be completed or what the outcome of any inquiry will be. The Company is unable to reasonably estimate the total amount of loss, if any, associated with the proceedings. A judgment against the Company may have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Shareholder Litigation

        On November 17, 2006, a shareholder derivative complaint captioned Ernesto Espinoza v. Ying Wu et al., Case No. RG06298775, was filed against certain of our current and former officers and directors in the Superior Court of the County of Alameda, California. The complaint alleges that the individual defendants, among other things, breached their duties, were unjustly enriched, and violated the California Corporations Code in connection with the timing of stock option grants. The complaint names us as a nominal defendant and seeks unspecified monetary damages against the individual defendants and various forms of injunctive relief. On February 2, 2007, we and the individual defendants filed demurrers against the complaint. On April 11, 2007, the Court sustained the individual defendants' demurrer, overruled our demurrer, ordered the plaintiff to file an amended complaint, and ordered us to answer the original complaint. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint and we have filed an answer to the amended complaint. On August 21, 2007, the individual defendants filed demurrers against the amended complaint. The Court sustained the individual defendants' demurrers and ordered the plaintiff to file a second amended complaint. The plaintiff has not yet filed his second amended complaint.

        Due to the preliminary status of this complaint and uncertainties related to litigation, we are unable to evaluate the likelihood of either a favorable or unfavorable outcome. Accordingly, we are unable at this time to estimate the effects of this complaint on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

IPO Allocation

        On October 31, 2001, a complaint was filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us, some of our directors and officers and various underwriters for our initial public offering. Substantially similar actions were filed concerning the initial public offerings for more than 300 different issuers, and the cases were coordinated as In re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, 21 MC 92 for pretrial purposes. In April 2002, a consolidated amended complaint was filed in the matter against us, captioned In re UTStarcom, Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 01-CV-9604. Plaintiffs allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 through undisclosed improper underwriting practices concerning the allocation of IPO shares in exchange for excessive brokerage commissions, agreements to purchase shares at higher prices in the aftermarket and misleading analyst reports. Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of our common stock between March 2, 2000 and December 6, 2000. Our directors and officers have been dismissed without prejudice pursuant to a stipulation. On February 19, 2003, the Court granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss the claims brought by defendants including us. The order dismissed all claims against us except for a claim brought under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, which alleges that the registration statement filed in accordance with the IPO was misleading. In June 2004, a stipulation of settlement and release of claims

42

against the issuer defendants, including us, was submitted to the court for approval. The terms of the settlement, if approved, would have dismissed and released all claims against the participating defendants (including us). In August 2005, the Court preliminarily approved the settlement. In December 2006, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed the Court's October 2004 order certifying a class in six test cases that were selected by the underwriter defendants and plaintiffs in the coordinated proceedings. Our case is not one of the test cases. Because class certification was a condition of the settlement, it was unlikely that the settlement would receive final Court approval. On June 25, 2007, the Court entered an order terminating the proposed settlement based on a stipulation among the parties to the settlement. Plaintiffs have filed amended master allegations and amended complaints in the six test cases, which the defendants in those cases have moved to dismiss. Plaintiffs have also moved for class certification in the six test cases, which the defendants in those cases have opposed. It is unclear whether there will be any revised or future settlement. If the litigation proceeds, we believe that we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend the action vigorously. The total amount of the loss associated with the above litigation is not determinable at this time. Therefore, we are unable to currently estimate the loss, if any, associated with the litigation.

UTStarcom, Inc. v. Starent Patent Infringement Litigations

        On February 16, 2005, we filed a suit against Starent for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In the Complaint, we assert that Starent infringes UTStarcom patent U.S. Reg. No. 6,829,473 ("the '473 patent") through Starent's development and testing of a software upgrade for its customer's installed ST-16 Intelligent Mobile Gateways. We seek declaratory and injunctive relief. Starent subsequently filed its answer and counterclaims, denying our allegations and seeking a declaration that the patent-in-suit is not infringed, is invalid, and is unenforceable. On June 16, 2005, we filed a motion to strike Starent's affirmative defense and dismiss Starent's counterclaim alleging inequitable conduct. On July 19, 2005, the parties stipulated that Starent would file an amended answer and counterclaim by July 27, 2005 and that we would withdraw our motion to strike. On August 10, 2005, we responded to Starent's amended counterclaim filed on July 27, 2005. In early December 2006, we filed a reissue application for the '473 patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Starent has also filed for reexamination of the '473 patent. The reexamination and reissue are currently co-pending. The litigation is still in a preliminary stage, and is stayed pending the outcome of the reissue. The litigation and its outcome cannot be predicted, although we believe the litigation has merit. Nonetheless, we believe that any adverse judgment on Starent's counterclaims will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

        On May 8, 2007, the Company filed an additional suit against Starent and sixteen individual defendants (who were all former employees of 3Com's CommWorks division, of which the Company acquired certain assets in May of 2003) in the Northern District of Illinois. The causes of action include claims for patent infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, intentional interference with business relations and prospective economic advantage and declarations of ownership of certain patent rights. In its Complaint, the Company asserts that Starent infringes UTStarcom patents U. S. Reg. Nos. 7,173,905; 6,978,128; 6,963,582; 6,975,900; and 6,684,256 through the manufacture, use, offer, for sale, and sale of Starent's ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway and ST40 multimedia code platform, that the individual Defendants and Starent have misappropriated valuable Company trade secrets by improperly taking and using the Company's confidential and proprietary information for the benefit of Starent, that the individual defendants and Starent have interfered with the Company's business relations and prospective economic advantage by using the misappropriated information to obtain and enhance sales of Starent's products, and that several of Starent's patent applications and one issued patent are based on information obtained by the former employees while at the Company (CommWorks) and on that basis belong to UTStarcom. The Company seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages and injunctive relief. After the court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss the

43

misappropriation of trade secrets claims, on August 30, 2007, Starent answered the Company's complaint, denying the Company's allegations and asserting a number of affirmative defenses and counterclaims, including non-infringement of the subject patents and alleged tortious interference with prospective economic advantage. The Company has filed an Amended Complaint to allege additional related causes of action. Starent has moved to dismiss certain causes of action of the Amended Complaint. The Court has not yet decided the motion to dismiss. The Court has appointed a special master to handle discovery and issues related to identification of the trade secrets. Discovery is now ongoing. The Company believes that any adverse judgment on Starent's counterclaims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Telemetrix, Inc. Arbitration

        On October 19, 2006, Telemetrix, Inc. ("Telemetrix") filed a formal Request for Arbitration against us to the World Intellectual Property Organization ("WIPO") in Geneva, Switzerland. The Request for Arbitration sought unspecified damages arising from a contract between Telemetrix and Telos Technology, Inc., dated October 22, 2003. We assumed Telos' rights and obligations under this contract pursuant to our purchase of Telos' assets on May 19, 2004. Telemetrix alleged nine causes of action, including breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, interference with contractual relations, and interference with prospective economic advantage. In December 2006, we filed a formal response to the Request for Arbitration, denying all material factual allegations asserted by Telemetrix. An arbitrator was selected by the parties, and, on August 2, 2007, the arbitrator granted a pleading motion in favor of us due to Telemetrix's failure to allege sufficient facts in support of a majority of its causes of action. On August 17, 2007, Telemetrix filed an Amended Statement of Claim, alleging six causes of action, including breach of contract, fraud, interference with contractual relations and interference with prospective economic advantage. The evidentiary hearing is scheduled for July 28-30, 2008. Discovery has begun. The financial impact, if any, of the above claims is not determinable at this time.

Other Litigation

        We are a party to other litigation matters and claims that are normal in the course of operations, and while the results of such litigation matters and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 4—SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        On November 29, 2007, the Company held its annual meeting of stockholders. As of October 17, 2007, the record date for the annual meeting, there were 121,294,645 shares of common stock of the Company issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting. The following proposals were submitted to a vote of the stockholders:

(i)

To elect the following Class I director to serve for a term expiring on the date on which the annual meeting of stockholders is held in the year 2010.

There were no broker non-votes on this matter. As a result, Mr. Toy was re-elected as a director of the Company. Other directors whose terms of office continued after the meeting were as follows:

(ii)

To ratify and approve the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.

There were no broker non-votes on this matter. As a result, the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Company was ratified.

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PART II

ITEM 5—MARKET FOR UTSTARCOM, INC.'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

        Our common stock has been traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC ("NASDAQ") under the symbol UTSI since our initial public offering on March 2, 2000. The preceding table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on NASDAQ for the periods indicated. As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately 144 stockholders of record.

        To date, we have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain any available funds to finance the growth and operation of our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Certain present or future agreements may limit or prevent the payment of dividends on our common stock. Additionally, our cash held in foreign countries may be subject to certain control limitations or repatriation requirements, limiting our ability to use this cash to pay dividends.

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COMPANY'S STOCK PERFORMANCE

        The following graph compares the cumulative 5-year total return provided shareholders on UTStarcom, Inc.'s common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite index and the S&P Wireless Telecommunication Services index. An investment of $100 (with reinvestment of all dividends) is assumed to have been made in our common stock in each index on December 31, 2002 and its relative performance is tracked through December 31, 2007.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among UTStarcom, Inc., The NASDAQ Composite Index,
and The S&P Wireless Telecommunication Services Index

*

$100 invested on 12/31/02 in stock or index—including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.

        The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

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        The following table summarizes our stock repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2007:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

(1)

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company acquired 527,905 shares of common stock that employees presented to the Company to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards, performance shares and performance units.

        The information required by Item 5 with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference in Part III, Item 12 of this Form 10-K.

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ITEM 6—SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The selected financial data for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(1)

On November 1, 2004, we completed our acquisition of selected assets of Audiovox Communications Corporation. Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 from this acquisition was $1.66 billion, $1.34 billion and $1.37 billion, respectively.

(2)

The operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2007 included $14.5 million of restructuring charges and $19.9 million charges associated with the impairment of various long-lived assets including goodwill, intangible assets and certain property plant and equipment. The operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2006 included a $12.3 million gain on sale of assets. The operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2005 included $218.1 million of charges associated with the impairment of various long-lived assets including goodwill, intangible assets and certain property plant and equipment. In addition, it also contained $35.3 million of restructuring charges, including $29.7 million in operating expenses and $5.6 million in cost of goods sold.

(3)

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2007 included $53.7 million gain from sale of certain investments. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2006 included a $13.5 million charge associated with the other-than-temporary impairment of a long-term investment. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2005 included a gain of $47.2 million from the sale of a long term investment to Softbank Corp., a related party. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2005 also included a $31.4 million gain on extinguishment of subordinated notes and income tax expense of $136.5 million, which included a valuation allowance of $237.3 million on our net deferred tax assets.

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ITEM 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Annual Report on from 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on information that is currently available to management. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of complying with those provisions. The forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those concerning the following: our expectations regarding our compliance with SEC reporting requirements and NASDAQ listing requirements; our expectations with respect to our ability to execute on our business plan; our expectations with respect to the impact of the going concern explanatory paragraph from our independent auditors with respect to our financial statements; our expectations with respect to our ability to execute on our operating plans; our expectations as to the nature of possible market trends; our expectations regarding continued growth in our business and operations; our expectations regarding fluctuations in gross profit; our expectations regarding the market reactions to the price of our stock; our plans regarding payment of cash dividends; our expectations regarding recognition of certain compensation costs; our plans regarding legal proceedings; our expectations regarding the effect of legal proceedings and government inquiries; our expectations regarding the functionality, performance and features of our products; our plans and expectations regarding relationships with vendors and suppliers; our expectations regarding the future source and costs of chipsets; our plan to fulfill the purchase commitment under various orders from our suppliers; our expectations with respect to the amount of our stock compensation expense; our expectations regarding the exchange rate risks with respect to accountable receivables and payables in Renminbi, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupees and Euros; our plans regarding the use of financial instruments to hedge against certain foreign currency exchange rate risks; our plans regarding the use of derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes; our plans regarding the discounting of certain bank notes and commercial notes; our expectations regarding our ability to raise funds and our plan to continue service the account receivable; our expectations regarding our right to intellectual property embedded in our products; our expectations regarding our ability to protect our intellectual property; our expectations regarding the effect of market risks on our operating results; our plans to align business operations and streamline expenses; our expectations with respect to the reduction in our product costs through supply chain and R&D improvements; our expectations with respect to loss contracts; our expectations regarding becoming a stronger global competitor; our plans to implement measures to remediate material weaknesses; our expectations regarding the effectiveness of remediation measures; our plans to continue to review internal controls; our expectations regarding competition and the competitive advantages of our competitors; our expectations regarding consolidation of the telecommunications industry; our expectations regarding the development and introduction of new and more advanced products; our expectations regarding deployment of our products; our plans to reinvest cost savings derived from and expectations regarding our workforce restructurings; our expectations regarding future workforce restructurings; our expectation regarding the adoption of environmental, health and safety laws by countries world-wide; our expectations regarding the effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on our corporate governance and disclosure practices; our expectation regarding the expenses associated with compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; our expectations regarding the impact of the restatement of our consolidated financial statements; our expectations regarding the maturation of the PAS market and corresponding decrease in PAS subscriber growth; our expectations regarding the long-term demand for our PAS products; our expectations regarding our ability to offset the decline in PAS sales through pursuing other products; our expectations regarding PAS system spending; our plan to pursue opportunities for our wireless infrastructure products in multiple markets; our expectations regarding our investment in and development of the IPTV market; our expectations regarding product margins; our expectations regarding our annual effective tax rate; our expectations regarding the likelihood to

50

realize the tax benefits in the U.S. and other countries; our expectations regarding the effect of the China Corporate Income Tax Law on our future tax expenses; our expectations regarding valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets and its impact; our plan to develop measures to address employees' adverse tax consequences in connection with our past stock option granting practices; our expectations regarding the reporting of net losses throughout 2008; our expectations regarding our level of capital expenditures in China; our plans to maintain adequate liquidity levels through at least the next 12 months; our expectations regarding the availability and sufficiency of credit lines from our existing lenders; our plans to issue new debt instruments, sell investments and assets; our plan regarding repayment of our convertible subordinate notes; our expectations regarding access to cash in our China subsidiaries to meet our liquidity requirements outside of China; our expectations regarding interest rates; our expectations regarding sufficiency of cash resources; our expectations regarding our ability to receive licenses for our products; our expectation that our business, financial condition and results of operations will continue to be significantly influenced by the political, economic, legal and social environment in China and other international markets, including Japan, India and Europe; our expectations regarding the nature of political, economic and legal reform in China; our expectations regarding the continued importance of the Chinese market for our technologies and development and the importance of sales in China to our operating results; our expectations regarding future sales generated from China as a percentage of total sales; our expectations regarding subscriber growth in China; our expectations regarding global expansion of sales outside of China; our plan to extend our supplier base by introducing more models of our own design and expanding relationships with more manufacturers; our plans to pursue opportunities to divest additional non-core assets; our anticipations regarding acquisitions and divestitures, including divestiture of noncore assets and operations; our expectation with respect to research and development expenses; our expectations regarding future amortization expenses; our expectations regarding the impact of product defects or performance quality issues; our expectations regarding the impact of international expansion on our management, operational, financial and other resources; our expectations regarding the impact of legislation that restricts or prohibits the use of wireless handsets while driving on our future sales; our plans regarding improvement of our internal supply chain and inventory management processes; our expectations regarding the reliability of stock-based compensation valuation models and the impact of SFAS 123R; and our expectations regarding our ability to implement and enhance our administrative infrastructure. Additional forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "intend," "will," "may," and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, or by the words "designed," "intended" and similar expressions, as they relate to our products and services. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and events to differ materially. For a detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see Item 1A "Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K. We do not guarantee future results and undertake no obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Form 10-K.

OVERVIEW

        We design, manufacture and sell telecommunications infrastructure, handsets and customer premise equipment, and provide services associated with their installation, operation, and maintenance. Our products are sold primarily to telecommunications service providers or operators. We sell an extensive range of products that are designed to enable voice, data and video services for our operator customers and consumers around the world. Over the past few years, we have expanded our focus to build a global presence and currently sell our products in several other established and emerging growth markets, including North America, China, Japan, India, Central and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast and North Asia.

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        We differentiate ourselves with products designed to reduce network complexity, integrate high performance capabilities and allow a simple transition to next generation networks. We design our products to facilitate cost-effective and efficient deployment, maintenance and upgrades.

        Because our products are IP-based, our customers can more easily integrate our products with other industry standard hardware and software. Additionally, we believe we can introduce new features and enhancements that can be cost-effectively added to our customers' existing networks. IP-based devices can be changed or upgraded in modules, saving our customers the expense of replacing their entire system installation. Our strategy is built upon the following key concepts:

•

identify key technology shifts and trends before our competitors;



•

develop differentiated products, which are designed to offer new and innovative revenue-generating features and enhanced functionality for our customers;



•

reduce overall operational and deployment costs of our customers' networks, enabling them to meet the demands of a greater number of consumers by expanding their addressable markets; and



•

develop tailored products and services to suit customers' current needs and to anticipate future needs.

        In September 2007, we announced the results of an in-depth strategic analysis of the Company undertaken by the management team with the aim of defining a new corporate strategy and making UTStarcom an even stronger global competitor.

        Our current strategy is to focus on the key segments of the IP technology market which we have identified as having the greatest potential for profitable growth. Specifically, our strategy is to:

•

Invest our R&D resources in select IP-based technologies where we believe we can create unique end-to-end solutions that will deliver strong market share and create value for our customers;



•

Drive revenue from this technology in select core geographic markets where there is high acceptance of the disruptive shift to IP technologies and where we have established credibility with customers; and



•

Supplement revenue outside of core markets by using regional technology and sales partners in areas where we can leverage their strong customer relationships.

Restructuring Programs

        Over the past few years, we have undertaken a significant globalization program and we intend to continue to build our global sales outside of China. We intend to continue to enhance our manufacturing capabilities and improve our internal supply chain and inventory management processes to ensure timely deliveries of quality products. We also intend to continue to implement and enhance our administrative infrastructure to assist our globalization.

        On October 2, 2007, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (the "Plan") to reduce operating costs, which included a worldwide reduction in force of approximately 11% of the Company's headcount, or approximately 700 employees. The workforce reduction was primarily in the United States and China and, to a lesser degree, other international locations. We incurred a restructuring charge in connection with the Plan of approximately $14.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, comprised largely of cash payments associated with one-time severance benefits.

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        We will continue our efforts to evaluate certain operations and will consider opportunities to divest additional non-core assets and may incur additional costs associated with future actions to further align our business operations and streamline our business processes.

Asset Impairment

        During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company announced a new organization structure to align the Business Units with its corporate strategy. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company performed impairment tests on goodwill and certain long-lived tangible and intangible assets.

        Based upon the impairment assessment, the Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $3.1 million. In addition, the Company has written down $10.5 million and $5.2 million related to the fair values of the customer relationships and technology intangible assets within the Other business segment, respectively. The Company also recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million of long-lived tangible assets related to the Other business segment asset group (see Note 8, "Property, Plant and Equipment" and Note 9, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report).

Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements

        In July 2007, the Company announced the Audit Committee was conducting an independent investigation of historical sales with certain customers in China. After consultation with and upon the recommendation of management, the Audit Committee determined revenue in the Company's Western Region of China was recognized earlier than it should have been. In the 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we corrected for the effects of net sales and related costs of net sales that were recorded earlier than they should have been.

        We also conducted a voluntary review of historical stock option practices under the direction of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors ("Governance Committee"). This review considered all option grant awards made in the period from February 29, 2000, shortly before the initial public offering of our Common Stock, through August 2006 for compliance with the various stock-based compensation accounting standards applicable during this period as well as the rules of our stock option plans. We found that in a number of instances we did not use the proper date as the measurement date in determining whether stock options had been issued with exercise prices below the fair value of our common stock. Therefore, we restated our previously issued financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1998 through 2005 to account for additional stock compensation expense that should have been recognized over the period together with an equal increase in additional paid-in capital to recognize the intrinsic value assigned to these issuances of equity securities. Related adjustments of payroll and income taxes were also recorded.

        In restating our previously issued financial statements for the investigations described above, we also corrected other previously reported amounts related to sales and cost of sales to certain third party resellers to classify these amounts as related party sales and related party cost of sales classifications, respectively, because in 2006 we determined that sales to these entities were, in substance, sales to one of our significant shareholders, SOFTBANK CORP. The accounts receivable from these sales was similarly reclassified into accounts receivable from related parties in our 2005 balance sheet.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company announced a new organization structure to align the business units with its corporate strategy. This new organization structure changed the reporting

53

segments on which the Company measures performance and allocates resources. Effective October 1, 2007, the new reporting segments are as follows:

•

Broadband Infrastructure;



•

Multimedia Communications;



•

Personal Communications Division;



•

Handsets;



•

Services; and



•

Other, which includes the Mobile Solutions and Custom Solutions business units.

        Our Broadband Infrastructure segment is responsible for software and hardware products that enable end users to access high-speed, cost effective wireline data, voice and media communication. Our products within each of these categories include multiple hardware and software subsystems that can be offered in various combinations to suit individual carrier needs. Our system products are based on widely-adopted global communications standards and are designed to allow service providers to quickly and cost-efficiently integrate our systems into their existing networks and deploy our systems in new broadband, IP and wireless network rollouts. Our products are also designed for quick and cost-effective transition to future network technologies, enabling our customers to make the best use of their existing infrastructure.

        Our Multimedia Communications segment is responsible for the development and management of IPTV and related technologies (such as surveillance) plus our core Next Generation Network ("NGN") software. The Personal Handyphone System ("PHS") infrastructure and wireless systems teams are also a part of this segment.

        Our Personal Communications Division markets, sells and supports handsets other than Personal Access System ("PAS") handsets for markets other than China. Historically, most of our handset sales in this division were designed and built by other manufacturers. However, in 2005 we began shipping handsets designed and manufactured by us, and during the year ended December 31, 2007 handsets manufactured by us made up approximately 35% of the total unit sales of this segment.

        Our Handsets segment designs, builds and sells consumer handset devices, including PAS handsets, that allow customers to access wireless services. All handset revenues within China are included in this segment.

        We support the growth and operation of the installed base of our system solutions through our professional services business, UTStarcom Services. Our globally-deployed experts assist the Company's customers with activities ranging from network planning, circuit-to-packet network migration planning, systems integration, program management, operations management and support, and knowledge transfer.

        Included in our "Other" segment are our Mobile Solutions business unit and our Custom Solutions business unit. Our Mobile Solutions business unit is responsible for the development, sales and service of our wireless IPCDMA/IPGSM product line and our Packet Data Services Node ("PDSN") product line which connects CDMA cellular network infrastructure equipment to IP network. Our Custom Solutions business unit is responsible for the development, sales and service of other non-core products such as IP messaging, transaction gateways, and Remote Access Server ("RAS") which enables users to access network data and services from remote locations.

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NET SALES

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Net sales in 2007 were $2.5 billion and did not change significantly on a consolidated basis as compared to net sales in 2006. Revenue was lower in all segments except PCD, Services and Other. Revenue from the Broadband Infrastructure and Multimedia Communications segments decreased by 22% and 28%, respectively, in 2007 as compared to 2006 due to a decrease in demand caused by continued maturity of the PAS market and as customers in China prepare for 3G launch, as well as a decrease in demand from Softbank. As we have experienced in the last two years, our PAS/iPAS products and our PAS/iPAS based handsets in the China market continued to experience declining revenues resulting from both lower unit demand and pricing pressures. This led to a decrease in our handset segment sales of 41% in 2007 as compared to 2006. In our PCD segment, the increase in the number of units sold and the higher average selling price during 2007 as compared to 2006 led to a 24% increase in segment revenue. Revenue from the Services segment increased by 3%. Sales of our Other segment increased by 23% due to increases in our Custom Solutions and IPCDMA product and service sales. For additional discussion of our business segments, see "Segment Reporting."

        In 2008, we expect that revenues from PAS products and infrastructure will continue to decline with increased competition but will be partially offset by revenues from higher end PAS products including dual mode PAS handsets, dual mode CDMA and Softswitch products in multiple markets, but we do not anticipate that these sales will fully offset the decline in PAS product sales. We currently offer and have initial market acceptance of our RollingStream™ IPTV products in China, Japan and India. We believe that the IPTV market presents a meaningful growth opportunity in these regions as well as other regions where we have targeted to expand our IPTV offerings.

        During 2007, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA and Sprint Spectrum, respectively, accounted for approximately 22%, 15% and 13% of our total net sales.

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Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Net sales were $2.5 billion in 2006, a decrease of 14% as compared to $2.9 billion in 2005. While revenues were lower in all segments, the 55% decrease in net sales of the Broadband Infrastructure segment contributed over half of the total net sales decrease. Broadband Infrastructure revenues in 2005 were driven by sales of iAN-8000 equipment to Japan Telecom, an affiliate of SOFTBANK CORP. and a related party. In 2006, Broadband Infrastructure sales to Softbank and affiliates decreased by $333.0 million as Softbank completed its initial investment in fixed line businesses and changed its focus to wireless business following its acquisition of Vodafone Japan. The decrease in Multimedia Communications revenues and Handsets revenues reflects the lower demand in the China market for our PAS systems and handsets as PAS subscriber growth declined to 10% in 2006 compared with 31% in 2005. PCD net sales remained relatively consistent with a decrease in the average selling price offset by a 6% increase in the number of units sold. During 2006, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA, respectively, accounted for approximately 14% and 11% of our total net sales. During 2005, Verizon Wireless accounted for approximately 12% of our total net sales.

GROSS PROFIT

        Cost of sales consists primarily of material and labor costs associated with manufacturing, assembly and testing of products, costs associated with installation and customer training, warranty costs, fees to agents, inventory and contract loss provisions and overhead. Cost of sales also includes import taxes and tariffs on components and assemblies. Some components and materials used in our products are purchased from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers and, in some cases, are subject to our obtaining Chinese import permits and approvals. We also rely on third party manufacturers to manufacture and assemble most of our CDMA handsets.

        Our gross profit has been affected by average selling prices, material costs, product mix, the impact of warranty charges and contract loss provisions, as well as inventory reserves and release of deferred revenues and related costs pertaining to prior years. Our gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, varies among our product families. We expect that our overall gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, will fluctuate in the future as a result of shifts in product mix, stage of product life cycle, anticipated decreases in average selling prices and our ability to reduce cost of sales.

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Gross profit was $321.5 million or 13% of net sales in 2007, as compared to $385.7 million or 16% of net sales in 2006. Gross profit dollars decreased $64.3 million due to a decline in sales of most segments except PCD, Services and Other segments. Gross profit percentage declined from 16% in 2006 to 13% in 2007 as lower margin PCD sales represented 67% of our total sales in 2007 as compared to 55% in 2006. Gross profit and gross profit percentages in 2007 were also negatively

56

impacted by additional inventory reserves and $6.2 million additional contract loss on a fixed price infrastructure deployment contract. For additional discussion of our segments, see "Segment Reporting."

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Gross profit was $385.7 million or 16% of net sales in 2006, as compared to $435.8 million or 15% of net sales in 2005. Gross profit declined in absolute dollars but remained relatively constant as a percentage of net sales in 2006 and 2005. Our Multimedia Communication and Handsets segments contributed to the increase in gross profit in absolute dollars, primarily as a result of a shift in product mix and a reduction in production costs. The absolute decrease in gross profit dollars was primarily the result of the decline in gross profit from the Broadband Infrastructure segment resulting from a 55% decline in segment sales and a reduced profit as a percentage of segment sales due to additional inventory reserves and a $32.1 million provision for anticipated losses on a fixed price infrastructure deployment contract entered into in the fourth quarter of 2006. In addition, the increased percentage of our revenue derived from the lower margin PCD segment resulted in a decrease in our total gross profit as a percentage of net sales.

OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME)

        The following table summarizes our operating expenses:

        Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") include compensation and benefits, professional fees, sales commissions, provision for doubtful accounts receivable and travel and entertainment costs. Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefits of employees engaged in research, design and development activities, costs of parts for prototypes, equipment depreciation and third party development expenses. We believe that continued and prudent investment in research and development is critical to our long-term success, and we will aggressively evaluate appropriate investment levels. A portion of our costs are fixed and are difficult to quickly reduce in periods of lower sales.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Selling, general and administrative expenses were $319.1 million in 2007, a decrease of 5% as compared to $334.5 million for 2006. The expenses as a percentage of net sales were 13% and 14% for 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to: (i) $9.7 million cost savings resulting from a reduction in the use of outside consultants and contractors as we transferred most of

57

the associated projects to internal staff, (ii) $2.3 million reduction in travel expenses, and (iii) $3.2 million reduction in facility related expenses as we reduced leased area. These decreases were partially offset by: (i) $1.1 million decrease in recovery of bad debt, (ii) $8.1 million increase in professional fees primarily related to various legal proceedings, investigations and the restatements, and (iii) $2.7 million charge related to fixed assets related to our upgrade of Oracle system. In 2006, the selling, general and administrative expenses included a charge of $7.9 million of VAT expense resulting from an audit of 2003 through 2005 tax years by China tax authorities and a $4.7 million write-off of net assets in connection with the termination of a joint venture in 2006.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Selling, general and administrative expenses were $334.5 million in 2006, a decrease of 10% as compared to $371.5 million in 2005. This decrease was primarily due to a $27.8 million decrease in our provision for doubtful accounts in 2006 compared to 2005 resulting from strong cash collection of fully reserved receivables in China. Days sales outstanding was 60 days at December 31, 2006 as compared to 66 days outstanding at December 31, 2005 due to strong cash collections in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the high percentage of fourth quarter revenue derived from our PCD segment, which generally has experienced a shorter collection period on related receivables. In addition, sales and marketing personnel costs decreased approximately $16.7 million as a result of cost savings resulting from reduced sales and marketing headcount, offset partially by increased stock-based compensation charges. The reduction in sales and marketing headcount was primarily due to the reassignment of approximately 477 employees during 2006, previously providing sales and support services towards generating revenue from support arrangements. Other cost savings in sales and marketing, primarily related to the 2005 restructuring and cost containment measures, included a $12.0 million decrease in depreciation, facility and equipment costs, a $10.1 million decrease in travel expenses and a $4.0 million decrease in professional services. These cost savings in sales and marketing expenses were partially offset by an increase in general and administrative costs. Primary factors in the increased general and administrative costs included: (i) an increase of $21.3 million in general and administrative personnel costs due to increased stock-based compensation charges and additional finance and information technology resources hired to improve processes and controls (ii) $7.9 million of value added tax expense resulting from an audit of 2003 through 2005 tax years by China tax authorities and (iii) a $4.7 million write-off of net assets in connection with the termination of a joint venture. In 2006, selling, general and administrative costs included approximately $13 million of stock-based compensation as a result of adoption of SFAS 123(R).

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        R&D expenses were $168.3 million and $182.9 million, or 7% of net sales for both 2007 and 2006. In absolute dollars, R&D expenses decreased by $14.6 million, primarily due to a decrease in equipment, parts and depreciation costs of $9.6 million and write-down of R&D equipment in prior periods and a decrease in personnel expenses, including payroll, payroll taxes and benefits totaling $6.1 million resulting from decreased headcount. In addition, the decrease in R&D expenses also was attributable to a $2.5 million cost savings resulting from a decreased use of outside services. These savings were partially offset by $1.4 million increase in stock-based compensation.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        R&D expenses were $182.9 million in 2006, a decrease of $63.9 million or 26% as compared to $246.8 million in 2005. The decrease was primarily due to (i) a decrease of $30.6 million in depreciation, facility and equipment costs as a result of the restructuring and write-down of R&D equipment in 2005, (ii) a decrease in personnel expenses of approximately $16.4 million attributed to a

58

decrease in headcount due to the restructuring activities and the transfer of engineers as part of the sale of our semiconductor design operations to Marvell Technology and the transfer of our non-PAS wireless research and development in China to Cellon, and (iii) a decrease in professional costs of $9.3 million associated with the decrease in outsourced projects.

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

        The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense in the Company's consolidated statement of operations:

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        The decline in the level of stock compensation in 2007 compared to 2006 was attributable to the timing of equity grants that are subject to accounting under SFAS 123(R) as well as the decline in our stock price. We were unable to grant new equity grants in 2007 until October 2007 due to our inability to file our periodic financial reports as required by the SEC. To the extent that compensation related to older equity grants becomes fully recognized and is not replaced with compensation attributable to new equity grants, we will experience a decline in overall stock compensation expense.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        We adopted the provision of FAS 123(R), "Share-Based Payment" on January 1, 2006. Therefore, stock-based compensation in 2005 and prior year represent the charges recorded under APB 25. For 2005, stock-based compensation expense primarily consists of grants of restricted stock to employees of certain acquisitions offset by reversals of compensation expense related to certain awards subject to variable accounting.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Amortization of intangible assets was $16.0 million in 2007 as compared to $18.9 million in 2006. Amortization of intangible assets declined as several intangible assets became fully amortized during the preceding twelve months. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangibles for each of the five years beginning 2008 through 2012 is $6.2 million, $3.5 million, $3.5 million, $3.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively, and is $4.6 million in the aggregate thereafter.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Amortization of intangible assets was $18.9 million in 2006, a decrease of $7.0 million or 27%, compared to $25.9 million in 2005. The decrease in the amortization of intangible assets was due to several intangible assets being fully amortized during the preceding twelve months.

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GAIN ON SALE OF SEMICONDUCTOR DESIGN ASSETS

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        In February 2006, we sold substantially all of the assets and selected liabilities of our semiconductor design operations, including the assets related to the prior acquisition of Advanced Communications Devices Corporation to Marvell Technology Group Ltd. We recognized a $4.3 million and $12.3 million gain on sale of these assets in 2007 and 2006, respectively, upon achieving the defined milestones (see NOTE 5—"Acquisitions and Sale of Assets"—Sale of Assets to Marvell Technology Group Ltd).

ASSET IMPAIRMENT

Fiscal 2007

        In 2007, we conducted an in-depth strategic analysis of the Company with the aim to define a new corporate strategy. This review was completed in the fourth quarter of 2007. Declines in our revenues, excluding the PCD, Services and Other segments, appeared to be persistent which was evidenced by the continued decline in the fourth quarter of 2007. During the fourth quarter of 2007, taking this decline into consideration and the new strategic direction as well as the persistent weak global and industry economic conditions, we revised our near and medium term revenue expectations downward significantly. We also reviewed corresponding key assumptions in our overall strategic business and manufacturing capacity plans. These material changes in our outlook and plans, which we were first able to quantify in our fourth quarter and fiscal 2008 budgeting process, triggered an impairment review of our long-lived assets.

        Our impairment review indicated that estimated future undiscounted cash flows would not be sufficient to recover the carrying values of our fixed assets in the Other segment. As a result, we recorded a charge of $1.1 million to write down these assets, which we continue to hold and use, to their estimated fair values which were determined based on established valuation practices and appraisals where appropriate.

        We also determined, in the fourth quarter of 2007, that certain intangible assets related to our acquisition of Telos and Commworks, specifically the existing technology and customer relationships, had also become impaired, and we recorded a $15.7 million charge to adjust the existing technology and customer relationships assets to its estimated fair market value. Our revenue estimates at the time of the acquisition were made when the market outlook was considerably more favorable. In performing the overall impairment analysis for goodwill, we followed the guidance under paragraph 29 of FAS 142, which requires long-lived assets, other than goodwill, to be tested for impairment first and that the carrying amount of these assets be adjusted for impairment before testing goodwill for impairment, if any. Accordingly, only after adjusting the carrying value of the above long-lived assets due to their impairment did we then test the goodwill for impairment recognizing an impairment of $3.1 million.

Fiscal 2006

        In 2006, we did not record any impairment charges related to technology intangible assets or property, plant and equipment because there were no circumstances or events that occurred which indicated a possible impairment.

Fiscal 2005

        In the third quarter of 2005, we determined that certain circumstances had changed sufficiently to indicate that the fair value of certain of our reporting units may be below their book values. As a result, we conducted an evaluation of our long-lived assets, including goodwill, intangible assets, and certain property plant and equipment, for impairment and recorded impairment charges.

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        Management held a series of planning meetings in September 2005 to assess the current business forecast for all reporting units. This assessment analyzed various factors, including a reduction in the rate of growth of PAS subscribers in the third quarter, a delay of the expected granting of 3G licenses in China and Japan, challenges with product quality primarily in our Broadband Infrastructure segment, a narrowing of our strategic focus related to our product offering and greater than expected revenue and margin decline due to continued pricing pressures for several of our key markets. Management concluded these factors combined represented a triggering event.

        Due to the existence of the triggering event in September 2005, we determined that there were significant adverse changes in the business outlook which could indicate the carrying value of certain of our long lived assets groups may not be recoverable and could indicate the fair value of our reporting units may be below their fair value. As a result, we performed impairment tests on goodwill and certain other long lived tangible and intangible assets.

        Based on the impairment assessment, a goodwill impairment charge of $192.9 million was estimated and recorded during 2005 to write off the full value of goodwill for Broadband Infrastructure, PCD and Handsets, and the majority of goodwill for Other segments. We also recorded an impairment charge of $14.1 million for long-lived tangible assets related to the Broadband Infrastructure asset group and $9.4 million for long-lived tangible assets related to the Handsets asset group.

        In addition, we determined that the fair value of technology-related intangible assets within the Handsets asset group as calculated using the discounted future cash flows was less than the carrying value of the net assets. As such, we recorded an asset impairment charge of $1.7 million.

        The following table summarizes the impairment charges incurred during 2005:

RESTRUCTURING COSTS

Fiscal 2007

        On October 2, 2007, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (the "Plan") to reduce operating costs, which included a worldwide reduction in force of approximately 11% of our headcount, or approximately 700 employees. The workforce reduction was primarily in the United States and China and, to a lesser degree, other international locations. We incurred a restructuring charge in connection with the Plan of $14.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2007, comprised largely of cash payments associated with one-time severance benefits. During the quarter, $11.3 million was paid and as of December 31, 2007, the remaining $3.2 million of the restructuring expense remained unsettled, is included in other current liabilities and is expected to be paid in 2008. We expect to realize annual cost savings in salary and compensation related expenses of approximately $31.5 million.

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        The following table shows the total amount of costs incurred by segment in connection with the restructuring plan:

Fiscal 2006

        The restructuring plan initiated in 2005 was completed by December 31, 2005 and no major restructuring effort was undertaken in 2006. During 2006, we settled approximately $1.1 million of accrued expenses, and the remaining $0.1 million of accrued expenses were paid in 2007.

Fiscal 2005

        In the second quarter of fiscal 2005, we announced and initiated a restructuring plan to rationalize our cost structure in response to the decline in demand for certain of our products. In 2005, we incurred approximately $29.7 million in operating expenses related to the restructuring plan actions, primarily consisting of $15.2 million related to severance payments and $14.5 million in asset impairments primarily related to the impairment of equipment and licenses associated with discontinued products. We made cash payments of $16.6 million for severance and other benefits in 2005. As part of the restructuring plan, we recorded a $5.6 million inventory write-off associated with discontinued products in 2005. Restructuring expense related to the inventory write-off was included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

IN-PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        The $0.7 million in-process research and development charge in 2005 was related to our acquisitions of Pedestal Networks. All charges to in-process research and development ("IPR&D") were based, in part, upon independent valuations. In assessing IPR&D projects, we considered key product characteristics including each product's development stage at the acquisition date, each product's life cycle and each product's future prospects. We also considered the rate at which technology changes in the relevant industry, the industry's competitive environment and the economic market outlook.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

INTEREST INCOME

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Interest income was $14.5 million and $14.8 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was mainly due to lower interest rates and lower average cash balances in China partially offset by the higher yield generated by the US cash balances which remained relatively stable in 2007 as compared to that in 2006.

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Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Interest income was $14.8 million in 2006 as compared to $7.1 million in 2005. Higher average cash balances in 2006 was the primary reason for the increase. In addition, an increase in the average interest rate, due in part to the geographic location of the cash balances, also had a favorable impact on interest income.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Interest expense was $32.7 million and $11.7 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in interest expense for 2007 compared to 2006 was primarily attributable to the incremental interest expense of $22 million resulting from the First and Second Supplemental Indentures associated with our convertible subordinated notes due in 2008. The stated interest rate of our convertible subordinated notes was 7.625% from January 9, 2007 through July 25, 2007 and 10.875% from July 26, 2007 through December 31, 2007. Prior to January 9, 2007, our convertible subordinated notes accrued interest at ⁷/8% per annum.

        Effective January 9, 2007, we entered into a Supplemental Indenture Agreement with the holders of our Notes, providing that any failure by us to comply with certain provisions of the original agreement will not result in a default or an event of default. This supplemental indenture agreement stipulated that, the Notes will accrue an additional 6.75% per annum (as compared to the ⁷/8% annual interest provided for under the original indenture related to the Notes) in special interest beginning January 9, 2007 to the maturity date of the Notes, unless the Notes are earlier repurchased or converted. On July 26, 2007, we entered into a Second Supplemental Indenture after receiving consent from holders of more than 50% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the convertible subordinated notes in connection with our consent solicitation announced July 19, 2007. The Second Supplemental Indenture provided that, the convertible subordinated notes will accrue an aggregate of an additional 10% per annum (as compared to the ⁷/8% annual interest provided for under the original indenture related to the Notes) in special interest from and including July 26, 2007 to the March 1, 2008 maturity date of the notes unless the notes are earlier repurchased or converted. The special interest rate represented an increase of 3.25% per annum over the previous special interest rate of 6.75% per annum in the First Supplemental Indenture. As a result of the Second Supplemental Indenture, the convertible subordinated notes now bear a stated interest rate of 10.875% (see Note 10, "Debt," of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report).

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Interest expense was $11.7 million in 2006, a decrease of $5.1 million or 30.3% as compared to $16.8 million in 2005. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to the decrease in short-term borrowings in China in the form of bank loans and the extinguishment of long-term debt during 2005. The average quarterly borrowings outstanding were $400.6 million and $570.7 million during 2006 and 2005, respectively, and the average interest rate thereon was 2.9% during both 2006 and 2005.

GAIN ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF SUBORDINATED NOTES

Fiscal 2005

        Gain on extinguishment of subordinated notes, net of write-off of unamortized issuance expenses, was $31.4 million in 2005. In the year ended December 31, 2005, 4,988,100 shares of our common stock with a fair value of approximately $37.6 million and approximately $57.1 million in cash were

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exchanged for $127.9 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding convertible subordinated notes due 2008.

OTHER INCOME, NET

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Other income, net was $64.8 million in 2007 as compared to $1.1 million in 2006. Other income, net for 2007 included a $53.7 million gain from sale of part of our investment in Gemdale and a $5.7 million gain on the sale of our investments in Immenstar and Fiberxon. Other income, net for 2006 consisted primarily of foreign exchange gains of $7.6 million, a gain on the sale of an asset of $2.5 million, dividend income of $2.1 million and miscellaneous other income of $2.1 million, partially offset by a $13.5 million impairment charge on a long-term investment.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Other income, net was $1.1 million in 2006 as compared to $43.7 million in 2005. Other income, net in 2006 consisted primarily of foreign exchange gains of $7.6 million, a gain on the sale of an asset of $2.5 million, dividend income of $2.1 million and miscellaneous other income of $2.1 million, partially offset by a $13.5 million impairment charge on a long-term investment.

        Other income, net in 2005 primarily consisted of a gain on sale of Softbank China of $47.2 million and a $6.0 million consumption tax refund in Japan, partially offset by a foreign exchange loss of $10.0 million. In December 2005, we sold our 10% ownership in Softbank China Holdings PTE LTD ("Softbank China") to SOFTBANK CORP., a related party and owner of the remaining 90% of Softbank China for $56.9 million. Accordingly, we recorded in other income a gain of $47.2 million after management fees, transaction expenses and net of the investment carrying value. The foreign exchange losses primarily consisted of losses attributed to the appreciation of the US dollar on Japanese Yen denominated cash and accounts receivable, offset by gains for the Company's China subsidiaries attributed to the appreciation of the Chinese Renminbi on US dollar denominated short-term debt and payables.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

        The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("FIN 48") on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized a $1.4 million increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits which, as required, was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. FIN 48 established criteria for recognizing or continuing to recognize only more-likely-than-not tax positions, which may result in income tax expense volatility in future periods. While the Company believes that it has adequately provided for all tax positions, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could be greater than our accrued position. Accordingly, additional provisions on income tax related matters could be recorded in the future as revised estimates are made or the underlying matters are settled or otherwise resolved.

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes and interest will be due. These reserves are established when, despite our belief that its tax return positions are fully supportable, we believe that certain positions are likely to be challenged and may not be sustained on review by tax

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authorities. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest.

        Income tax expense was $32.9 million in 2007 compared to a tax benefit of $15.0 million in 2006.

        On March 16, 2007, China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, passed the China Corporate Income Tax Law ("CIT Law"). CIT Law was effective on January 1, 2008. Under the CIT Law, China's dual tax system for domestic enterprises and foreign investment enterprises ("FIEs") would be effectively replaced by a unified system. As a result of the enactment of new regulations in December 2007 to address CIT Law, the Company accrued income tax expense of $11.7 million related to recording a deferred tax liability on foreign withholding taxes related to the unremitted earnings of the Company's subsidiaries which the Company determined to not be permanently reinvested outside the United States. The Company also accrued $5.4 million of foreign withholding taxes related to the realized gain on the sale of its investment in Gemdale. In addition, we recorded a $15.8 million tax expense relating to jurisdictions where we have been historically profitable.

        In 2006, as discussed below, we recorded a $29.0 million income tax benefit related to the settlement of a tax audit in China for the 2003 through 2005 tax years for UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd. ("HUTS") and Hangzhou UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd ("HSTC"), two of its subsidiaries in China and the acceptance of its tax holiday for HSTC.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Income tax benefit was $15.0 million in 2006 compared to tax expense of $136.5 million in 2005.

        In 2006, we recorded a $29.0 million income tax benefit related to the settlement of a tax audit in China for the 2003 through 2005 tax years for UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd. ("HUTS") and Hangzhou UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd ("HSTC"), two of its subsidiaries in China and the acceptance of its tax holiday for HSTC. This tax benefit was partially offset by tax expense accrued relating to jurisdictions where we have been historically profitable.

        In establishing its deferred income tax assets and liabilities, we make judgments and interpretations based on the enacted tax laws and published tax guidance applicable to its operations as well as the amount and jurisdiction of future taxable income. We record deferred tax assets and liabilities and evaluate the need for valuation allowances to reduce the deferred tax assets to realizable amounts. During 2005, we did not believe it was more likely than not that the Company would generate a sufficient level and proper mix of taxable income within the appropriate period to utilize all the deferred tax assets. As a result of the review undertaken, we concluded that it was appropriate to establish a full valuation allowance for the net deferred tax assets in China and the United States wherein the cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment. Accordingly, we recorded a $237.3 million non-cash charge in the United States and China. Also, we recorded a $11.9 million increase in tax expense in 2005 due to the revaluation of deferred tax assets in China because of statutory rate changes for certain of our subsidiaries in China.

EQUITY IN LOSS OF AFFILIATED COMPANIES

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Equity in loss of affiliated companies was $0 in 2006 as compared to $5.5 million in 2005 as our joint venture investment with Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. ("Matsushita") was liquidated in 2005.

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SEGMENT REPORTING

        During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company announced a new corporate organization to align the business units with its corporate strategy. This new organization structure changed the reporting segments on which the Company measures performance and allocates resources. Effective October 1, 2007, the new reporting segments are as follows:

•

Broadband—Focused on the Company's world class portfolio of broadband products



•

Multimedia Communications—Focused on development and market opportunities in IPTV solutions and wireless infrastructure technologies



•

Personal Communications Division (PCD)—Focused on distribution of mobile handsets outside of China.



•

Handsets—Focused on mobile phone business with continued focus on the PAS handset market.



•

Services—Focused on providing services and support of our Broadband Infrastructure and Multimedia Communications product lines



•

Other- includes Mobile Solutions which focused on development, sales and services for the IPCDMA market; and Custom Solutions which focused on customized telecommunication solution

        We make financial decisions based on information we receive from our internal management system and currently evaluate the operating performance of and allocate resources to the segments based on segment revenue and gross profit. Cost of sales and direct expenses in relation to production are assigned to the segments. The accounting policies used in measuring segment assets and operating performance are the same as those used at the consolidated level.

Broadband Infrastructure

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Our largest Broadband Infrastructure customer is Softbank in Japan, representing approximately 34% and 54% of total broadband sales for 2007 and 2006, respectively. Due to the customer concentration in this segment, revenues fluctuate based upon the magnitude and timing of revenue recognition on certain contracts for larger customers.

        Net sales from the Broadband Infrastructure segment decreased $44.4 million for 2007 as compared to 2006. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales to Softbank in Japan as Softbank completed its initial investment in fixed line businesses and changed its focus to wireless business following its acquisition of Vodafone Japan. The decrease was also due to the Broadband Infrastructure net sales in 2006 including $31.2 million in revenue from order cancellation fees with no associated cost of sales.

        Gross profit increased $9.1 million for 2007 as compared to 2006, primarily due to a $32.1 million provision for anticipated losses on an infrastructure deployment contract entered into during the fourth quarter of 2006 as well as additional warranty cost of $4.9 million in 2006. These additional costs in 2006 were partially offset by the gross margin from the $31.2 million in revenue related to cancellation

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fees which had no related costs of sale. In 2007, we recorded $6.2 million additional contract loss on the infrastructure deployment contract discussed above. We accepted this contract because it would allow us to develop a relationship with a customer we consider important to the international expansion of our broadband infrastructure business. We may incur additional warranty expense as we introduce new products and may be required to accrue additional contract losses for certain fixed price contracts as these contracts progress. Both events may have negative impacts on our future gross margins, results of operations and financial position.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Our largest Broadband Infrastructure customer was Softbank and affiliates, including Japan Telecom, representing approximately 54% and 88% of total Broadband Infrastructure sales in 2006 and 2005, respectively. During 2006 sales to Softbank declined by $333.0 million as Softbank completed its initial investment in fixed line businesses and changed its focus to wireless business following its acquisition of Vodafone Japan.

        The decline in gross profit as a percentage of net sales from 31% in 2005 to negative 1% in 2006 was due primarily to a $32.1 million provision for anticipated losses on an infrastructure deployment contract entered into in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Multimedia Communications

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        During 2007, Multimedia Communications sales decreased by 28% as compared to 2006 mainly due to decrease in our PAS infrastructure sales and phase out of our 3G product lines. Worldwide PAS system sales decreased by 22% and contributed to approximately 92% of our Multimedia Communications sales for 2007 compared to 85% for 2006. New PAS system sales in China have declined continuously since late 2004 as carriers have transitioned from new system installations to system expansions as PAS/iPAS systems reach product maturity.

        Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased from 45% to 33% of net sales in 2007, as compared to 2006 primarily due to higher warranty expenses and higher inventory reserves as we exited certain unprofitable product lines due to the restructuring plan initiated in October 2007.

        We expect future PAS infrastructure spending to decline further in 2008 compared with 2007 levels as China prepares for 3G launch. We expect the revenue decline will continue and we plan to aggressively pursue opportunities for our Packet PAS products (for broadband wireless data market based on PAS technology), dual mode enterprise PAS products and Softswitch products in multiple markets; although we do not anticipate that these sales will fully offset the anticipated decline in PAS sales in 2008.

        We believe that the IPTV market presents a meaningful growth opportunity. We currently offer and have initial market acceptance of our RollingStream™ IPTV products in China, Japan, India, Taiwan and other geographic regions.

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Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Net sales declined 10% in 2006 compared with 2005, primarily due to decreased sales of PAS systems in China during 2006 as well as sales of $57.7 million IPTV product in 2005. In 2006, approximately 85% of our Multimedia Communications sales were attributable to PAS systems in China compared with 87% in 2005. The decrease in PAS system sales was primarily the result of our customers in China transitioning from new system installations to system expansions as PAS systems reach product maturity.

        Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased by 19 percentage points in 2006 compared to 2005, due to a number of factors, including: (i) the margins on PAS infrastructure improved due to a shift in product mix towards higher margin cell sites as well as a reduction in product discounts given; (ii) an improvement in inventory management and product quality resulting in a decrease in excess inventory write-downs and scrap; and (iii) sales of networks software totaling $7.6 million which have gross margins over 90%.

Personal Communication Devices (PCD)

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Net sales for the PCD segment were $1.66 billion in 2007, an increase of 24% as compared to $1.34 billion in 2006. The increase was primarily due to a 1.5 million increase in total units sold, as well as an 8% increase in the overall average selling price in 2007. During 2007, sales of UTStarcom manufactured devices accounted for 35% of the total units sold, compared to 36% of the total units sold for 2006.

        Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 6% for 2007, compared with a 3% gross profit of net sales for 2006. The increased gross profit in 2007 as compared to 2006 was primarily due to higher than average selling prices in 2007 compared to 2006 and larger inventory write-down for certain slow moving models in 2006. There was no significant benefit to our gross profit margin during 2007 as a result of sales of inventory previously reserved as excess or obsolete.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Net sales for the PCD segment were $1.34 billion in 2006, a decrease of 2% compared to net sales of $1.37 billion in 2005. The relatively consistent net sales were the result of a decrease in the overall average selling price, offset by a 6% increase in the number of units sold.

        The gross profit as a percentage of net sales recognized on handset sales through PCD declined by one percentage point in 2006 compared with 2005. Gross profit was negatively impacted by inventory write-downs of certain slow moving models. Partially offsetting these inventory charges were higher margins on UTStarcom branded devices sold during 2006. The gross profit as a percentage of net sales is typically lower than that realized on PAS systems based handsets sold in the China market.

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Handsets

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Handset sales declined 41% in 2007 as compared to 2006. The decrease in net sales was primarily attributable to declining volume in the China telecommunications market and price erosion, resulting from reduction of subsidies on PAS handsets from service providers and the competition from mobile carriers like China Mobile and China Unicom. PAS and PAS/GSM dual mode handset unit sales in China declined to 4.78 million units in 2007 as compared to 7.86 million units in the prior year. The average selling price for PAS and PAS/GSM in China for 2007 was $42.3 as compared to $47.7 for 2006, representing an 11.3% decrease.

        Gross profit in 2007 as a percentage of sales increased by 3 percentage points as compared to 2006, mainly due to gross profit contributed from non PAS handsets. Gross profit as a percentage of sales for PAS handsets remained stable as compared to 2006 due to the continuous effort on cost reduction, better inventory management and reduction in royalty and warranty-related expenditures.

        In 2008 and beyond, we expect slower or even negative growth rates of PAS subscribers as China prepares for 3G launch. Furthermore, we expect more price erosion and gross margin deterioration in PAS handsets because of competition and sales approach shifting from direct sales to carriers to selling through distributors. We plan to continue to develop high-end models and PAS packet data cards and TD-SCDMA business, which have higher gross margins and average selling prices. We also expect to continue to focus on product cost reduction efforts through supply chain improvements and R&D improvements, including outsourcing part of our product development.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Net sales declined 16% primarily due to a volume decrease for our PAS handsets in China as the units sold declined to 7.8 million in 2006 compared to 10.2 million in 2005. The 25% volume decline was primarily attributed to lower demand for our PAS handsets resulting from slower subscriber growth. In 2006, PAS subscriber growth was 10% compared to 31% in 2005 as service providers reduced marketing efforts for PAS handsets in anticipation of next generation technology. The average selling price per unit improved 10% due to a shift in product mix to sales of higher-end models, as well as the introduction of a new PAS/GSM dual mode product line in 2006. This shift in product mix more than offset declining prices of other models due to competitive pricing pressures in the PAS market, which we have experienced in the China telecommunications market since the latter part of 2003.

        Gross profit as a percentage of sales for our handsets segment increased by 18 percentage points in 2006, as compared to 2005. A portion of the improvement in the gross profit percentage relates to shifting most of our products to the use of chip-sets with greater functionality in PAS handsets that reduce the overall component costs of each unit. Additionally, we have had a shift in product mix toward higher margin products such as our PAS/GSM dual mode and ultra-thin high-end PAS handsets. Additional factors leading to the improvement in gross profit are a reduction in scrap, variances and warranty costs.

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Services

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Our Service segment revenue increased $1.5 million, or 3%, for 2007 as compared to 2006 due to an increase in sales in our China operations as we signed new contracts for Multimedia Communication products during the second half of 2007.

        The increase in gross profit of $5.5 million, or 9 percentage points in 2007 as compared to 2006 was due to the increased sales in China, and the recognition of revenue for certain non-China sales orders that originated in 2006 with higher gross margins compared to those recognized in 2006.

Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Net sales in our Services segment decreased by $0.4 million, or 1%, for 2006 compared to 2005. The decrease in net sales is primarily due to delays associated with receiving final acceptance from existing projects that were completed. During 2006, we focused on revenue opportunities with respect to support in China. Approximately 477 employees previously providing sales and support services were refocused towards generating revenue from service arrangements, resulting in additional cost of goods sold for 2006 of $15.0 million, and a corresponding decrease in operating expenses. Additionally, revenues of $9.7 million from Multimedia Communications and $0.7 million from Broadband Infrastructure segment sales in China were allocated to the Services segment during 2006. The allocation was made on certain completed contracts for which the service element was not separately priced. Our gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased by 25 percentage points, primarily due to a one time service charge for marketing services to Softbank during 2005 that was not repeated in 2006.

Other

Fiscal 2007 vs. 2006

        Our Other segment consists of Mobile Solutions and Custom Solutions business units. The revenue increased by $8.1 million, or 23% in 2007 as compared to 2006 due to increase in sales of Custom Solutions products and related services as well as the IPCDMA product line of Mobile Solutions, partially offset by a decrease in sales of the data software products of the Mobile Solutions business unit due to increased competition. The IPCDMA product line accounts for 34% of the total Other segment revenue.

        Gross Profit as a percentage of sales decreased from 73% in 2006 to 61% in 2007, mainly due to a decrease in data software sales which normally have higher gross profit margins.

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Fiscal 2006 vs. 2005

        Net sales in our Other segment decreased by $11.0 million, or 24%, for 2006 as compared to 2005. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to revenue decrease in all product lines except IPCDMA caused by increased competition and delay in obtaining final acceptance of certain contracts in 2006.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Softbank and affiliates

        The Company recognizes revenue with respect to sales of telecommunications equipment to affiliates of Softbank, a significant stockholder of the Company. Softbank offers ADSL coverage throughout Japan, which is marketed under the name "YAHOO! BB." The Company supports Softbank's fiber-to-the-home service through sales of its carrier class GEPON product as well as its NetRing™ product. In addition, the Company supports Softbank's new internet protocol television ("IPTV"), through sales of its RollingStream™ product.

        During 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognized revenue of $67.8 million, $130.8 million and $475.3 million, respectively for sales of telecommunications equipment to affiliates of Softbank. Included in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 was a fee of $31.2 million charged for the cancellation of orders for broadband products and $10.0 million charged for the cancellation of orders for multimedia communications products.

        Included in accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $26.2 million and $29.9 million, respectively, related to these transactions. The Company had immaterial amounts of accounts payable from Softbank and its affiliates at December 31, 2007 and 2006.

        Sales to Softbank include a three-year service period and a penalty clause if product failure rates exceed a certain level over a seven year period. As of December 31, 2007, the Company's customer advance balance related to Softbank agreements was $0.3 million compared to no balance as of December 31, 2006. The current deferred revenue balance related to Softbank was $5.6 million and $11.6 million as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the Company's noncurrent deferred revenue balance related to Softbank was $10.1 million compared to $11.5 million as of December 31, 2006.

        During August 2004, the Company entered into several agreements with Japan Telecom Co., Ltd ("JT"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Softbank. These agreements relate to the sale of iAN-8000 equipment with specified value and delivery dates, as well as an oral agreement which subsequently converted into specific service contracts to manage a sales promotional program for JT. The Company has determined that the service activities revenue should be recorded net of expected promotional spending.

        On July 17, 2003, the Company entered into a Mezzanine Loan Agreement with BB Modem Rental PLC ("BB Modem"), an affiliate of Softbank. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company loaned BB Modem $10.1 million at an effective interest rate of 12.01% per annum, for the purpose of investing in a portfolio of ADSL modems and associated modem rental agreements, from Softbank. Softbank will continue to service such modems and modem rental agreements. The Company's loan was subordinated to certain senior lenders of BB Modem, and repayments were paid to the Company over a 42-month period through January 31, 2007, with a substantial portion of the principal amount of the loan repaid during the last 16 months of this period.

        During the year ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded an immaterial amount, $0.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, in interest income with respect to this loan. The loan receivable was fully settled during the first quarter of 2007 compared to a balance of

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approximately $1.0 million as of December 31, 2006 which was included in prepaid and other current assets.

        As of December 31, 2007, Softbank beneficially owned approximately 12% of the Company's outstanding stock.

Audiovox

        One of the Company's officers also serves as a director for Audiovox Corporation ("Audiovox"). During 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company paid approximately $2.1 million, $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for IT services provided by Audiovox.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Activities

2007

        Net cash used in operating activities for 2007 was $218.2 million. Operating cash was negatively affected by the net loss of $195.6 million (including $53.7 million in gain on sale of a short term investment) and changes in accounts payable, customer advances, deferred revenue and other assets, partially offset by favorable changes in accounts receivable, inventories and deferred costs as discussed below.

        During 2007, accounts payable decreased $165.1 million due to decrease in purchases of inventory during 2007, and due to a change in the timing of payments to vendors beginning in the first quarter of 2007 to comply with accelerated vendor payment terms. In addition, deferred revenue decreased $40.7 million primarily due to the recognition of revenue that was deferred from prior periods, other assets increased by $21.2 million primarily due to advance payments to suppliers and customer advances decreased by $48.1 million for 2007. Customer advances represent cash deposits we have received from our customers for orders that have not yet received final acceptance. Upon subsequent receipt of final acceptances and revenue recognition, customer advances are reduced and revenue and cost of sales is recorded.

        The cash used in operating activities was partially offset by a reduction in accounts receivable of $93.9 million, inventory of $82.4 million and deferred costs of $36.6 million. The reduction in accounts receivable was as a result of strong cash collections and the high percentage of revenue in 2007 from our PCD segment which generally has experienced a shorter collection period on related receivables. Days sales outstanding was 48 days at December 31, 2007 as compared to 60 days at December 31, 2006. The decrease in inventory and deferred cost was primarily due to a decrease in purchases of inventory during 2007.

        Non-cash charges for 2007 included $57.4 million of depreciation and amortization, $12.8 million of stock-based compensation expense and $19.9 million of impairment charges of long-lived assets.

2006

        Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $66.1 million. Cash from operating activities was positively affected by changes in accounts receivable, deferred costs and customer advances, partially offset by the net loss as well as changes in inventories, payables and other current liabilities.

        The decrease in accounts receivable resulting from improved cash collections in 2006 compared to 2005 provided cash of $133.1 million. Days sales outstanding was 60 days at December 31, 2006 as compared to 66 days outstanding at December 31, 2005 due to strong cash collections in the fourth

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quarter of 2006 and the high percentage of fourth quarter revenue derived from our PCD segment, which generally has experienced a shorter collection period on related receivables.

        Customer advances increased by $38.4 million at December 31, 2006. The decrease in payables and other current liabilities primarily resulted from a decrease in accounts payable of $22.3 million, a decrease in income taxes payable of $28.9 million, and a decrease in other current liabilities of $27.6 million. The decrease in other current liabilities included decreases in payroll and other taxes payable, accrued contract costs, which relate to purchase of goods and services for which invoices have not been received, and warranty costs, offset by a $32.1 million increase in other current liabilities related to a loss contract reserve.

        Non-cash charges for the year ended December 31, 2006 included $68.0 million of depreciation and amortization, $16.6 million of stock-based compensation expense, and a $13.5 million other-than-temporary charge related to impairment of a long-term investment. The net gain on sale of assets of $9.6 million, included the gain of $12.3 million related to the sale of the semiconductor design business division to Marvell Technology Group, Ltd.

2005

        Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $218.4 million. Operating cash was affected by changes in accounts receivable, inventories, income taxes payable and accounts payable.

        The $268.2 million decrease in accounts receivable was primarily attributable to increased collections in the final quarter of 2005 as compared to the final quarter of 2004. Days sales outstanding was 66 days at December 31, 2005 as compared to 113 days at December 31, 2004. The shorter days sales outstanding was primarily a result of a shift in sales from China, which typically has a long collection cycle, to the United States, which typically has a shorter collection cycle. The decrease in inventory balance of $165.9 million, primarily a result of a shift in sales to the PCD segment which has faster inventory turnover, has also contributed to our increase in operating cash.

        Customer advances decreased by $150.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. Income taxes payable decreased by $110.2 million due to the losses incurred during 2005. In addition, accounts payable decreased by $87.8 million due to lower inventory and lower forecast sales. All of these factors contributed to a decrease in operating cash.

        The reduction of customer advances in 2005 was primarily due to the completion of the revenue earning process for most of the agreements with Japan Telecom, Inc. ("JT"), an affiliate of Softbank Corp., as well as the decline in sales and the corresponding cash advances for products sold in China. All cash received from JT in advance of revenue recognition and in advance of spending for promotional activities was reflected as customer advances in prior periods. Revenue for certain of these agreements has been recognized during the year ended December 31, 2005. For additional information, see Note 19, "Related Party Transactions," of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Investing Activities

2007

        Net cash provided by investing activities for 2007 totaled $29.4 million. Cash of $83.2 million was received from the proceeds of the sale of short-term and long-term investments, $4.3 million was received in connection with achieving certain milestones related to the sale of certain semiconductor assets in 2006 and $6.6 million was the result of a change in restricted cash balances representing a release of restricted cash. Cash outflows from investing activities included $37.9 million for the purchase of short-term investments as well as $27.3 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment.

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2006

        Net cash provided by investing activities in fiscal 2006 totaled $36.1 million. Cash inflows from investing activities included $36.0 million received from the sale of our semiconductor design operations to Marvell Technology Group, Ltd., $4.0 million of net proceeds from the sale of short-term investments and $20.9 million in changes to restricted cash. Cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $26.3 million.

2005

        Net cash provided by investing activities in fiscal 2005 was $70.1 million. This was mainly due to net proceeds from the sale of investments of $181.7 million, including the $56.9 million received on the sale of the Softbank China Restructuring Fund No. 1 and $124.8 million of net sales of our other investment holdings, partially offset by $64.4 million of property, plant and equipment purchases and $24.3 million of for our acquisitions of Giga Telecom, Inc. and Pedestal Networks.

Financing Activities

2007

        Net cash used in financing activities was $58.1 million, primarily due to net repayment on our lines of credit of $61.6 million.

2006

        Net cash used in financing activities was $99.5 million, primarily consisting of a net repayment of short-term borrowings in excess of new borrowings.

2005

        Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2005 was $202.8 million. This was primarily due to net repayments of $216.4 million on borrowings including $57.1 million cash payment in connection with early debt extinguishments.

Liquidity

        Our working capital was $389.8 million and $800.4 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and included cash on hand of $437.4 million and $661.6 million, and short term investments of $65.6 million and $9.5 million, in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Short-term investments increased primarily due to a reclassification of $42.4 million of investments from long-term to short-term. Additionally, at December 31, 2007, the Company had short-term debt in China under lines of credit to our China subsidiaries of $48.0 million maturing in 2008 with interest rates ranging from 5.75% to 7.10%, and short-term debt outside of China in the form of convertible subordinated notes with a principal balance of $274.6 million that matures on March 1, 2008.

        We reported net losses of $195.6 million, $117.3 million and $532.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, we had an accumulated deficit of $691.2 million. As discussed above, we used $218.2 million of cash in operations during the year ended December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents of $437.4 million of which $289.5 million was transferred on February 28, 2008 to the Trustee in order to assure the repayment of the convertible subordinated notes due on March 1, 2008 (the "Notes"). This amount includes a principal payment of $274.6 million and $14.9 million in accrued interest. We are continuing to experience net operating losses. These factors, as well as others discussed below, raise substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and our independent registered public accounting firm has included a going concern uncertainty explanatory paragraph in its

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report dated February 29, 2008. Management believes that it has developed a liquidity plan that, if executed successfully, will provide sufficient liquidity to finance the Company's anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the next 12 months. Management's liquidity plans include divesting the Company's noncore assets or operations and obtaining funding from outside sources. However, there is no assurance that such transactions could be consummated on acceptable terms or at all. In addition, through management's ongoing efforts to improve the Company's profitability and cash flows, management continues to re-examine all aspects of the Company's business for areas of improvement and continues to focus on the Company's fixed cost base and improving the working capital position to better align with operations, market demand and current sales levels. However, if projected sales do not materialize, management may need to further reduce expenses. In addition, the Company may require additional equity or debt financing. If future funds are raised through issuance of stock or debt, these securities could have rights, privileges or preference senior to those of common stock and debt covenants could impose restrictions on the Company's operations. The sale of additional equity securities or debt financing could result in additional dilution to the Company's current shareholders. There can be no assurance that additional financing, if required, will be available on terms satisfactory to the Company.

        The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

        At December 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments aggregating $503.1 million to meet our liquidity requirements of which $376.3 million was held by our subsidiaries in China. China imposes currency exchange controls on transfers of funds outside of China; such controls limit transfers of approximately $200 million of our net assets outside of China without first obtaining the consent of the Chinese government. While our China subsidiaries had transferred $150 million dividend during the year ended December 31, 2007 and another $100 million dividend in February 2008, the amount of cash available for transfer from the China subsidiaries is limited both by the liquidity needs of the subsidiaries in China and by the Chinese government requirements that the China subsidiaries retain adequate capital levels in China to protect creditors and to have funds available for mandated employee benefits. Additionally, available credit facilities in China at December 31, 2007 totaled $152.2 million. Of this amount, an aggregate of $41.1 million may be used for general working capital purposes. In addition, $111.0 million was available for use in support of letters of credit and corporate guarantees. These credit facilities expire during the fourth quarter of 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2007, credit facilities in China in the aggregate amount of approximately $481.7 million matured or were extinguished. At December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance under the continuing general working capital line was $6.9 million and an additional $41.1 million was outstanding under the lines that matured during the fourth quarter of 2007. Our practice in China is to draw new loans under the credit facilities prior to either the maturity of our borrowings or expiration of our facilities to ensure we maintain adequate liquidity to re-pay the existing borrowings at maturity, or to effectively lengthen the credit facility period to the latest maturity date of the underlying borrowings. We currently are in negotiations to renew these credit facilities.

        We believe that based upon our recent financial performance and financial position our lenders may reduce the total available credit when we negotiate renewals of these lines. Furthermore, each borrowing under the credit facilities is subject to the bank's current favorable opinion of the credit worthiness of the Company's China subsidiaries, as well as the bank having funds available for lending and other Chinese banking regulations.

        Our available lines of credit are now significantly less than what has been available to us historically. We are in the process of renewing the matured lines of credit and may need to collateralize certain of our assets in China to increase those lines. However, we cannot be certain that such additional lines of credit will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

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Management's liquidity plans include divesting our noncore assets or operations, obtaining funding from outside sources, including by the sale of our securities, or obtaining loans from financial institutions.

        In March 2003, we issued the Notes when we completed an offering of $402.5 million of ⁷/8% convertible subordinated notes due March 1, 2008 to qualified institutional buyers. The Notes are convertible into our common stock at a conversion price of $23.79 per share and are subordinated to all of our present and future senior debt. Concurrent with the issuance of the Notes, we entered into a convertible bond hedge and a call option transaction with respect to our common stock. Both the bond hedge and call option transactions may be settled at our option either in cash or net shares and expire on March 1, 2008. During 2005, we completed exchanges of approximately 5.0 million shares of our common stock and approximately $57.1 million in cash for $127.9 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes. As a result of the early extinguishment, we also amended the convertible bond hedge and call option transactions to reflect the change in principal amount of the underlying notes.

        If an event of default were to occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding could declare all unpaid principal and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. Therefore as a result of our inability to timely file our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2006, because the independent review by the Governance Committee of the Company's historic stock option accounting was not completed, after receiving a purported notice of default from the trustee for the Notes (the "Trustee") asserting that the delay in filing and a failure to comply with certain covenants had purportedly caused a default under the Indenture, we solicited and received the requisite consents from the holders of the Notes to a waiver of any defaults which may have occurred to and including January 9, 2007, caused by a delay in filing certain reports required to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act (the "SEC Reports") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). We then entered into a First Supplemental Indenture with the Trustee, dated January 9, 2007, which provided that any failure by us to comply with certain provisions of the original agreement will not result in a default or an event of default through May 31, 2007. After receiving a notice of default from the Trustee asserting that our inability to timely file SEC Reports and comply with certain covenants as of May 31, 2007 had purportedly caused a default under the Indenture, we solicited and received the requisite consents from the holders of the Notes to a waiver of any defaults which may have occurred to and including July 26, 2007 and entered into a Second Supplemental Indenture with the Trustee, after receiving consent from holders of more than 50% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes in connection with our consent solicitation announced July 19, 2007. The Second Supplemental Indenture provided that (i) during the period from and including July 26, 2007 to and including October 15, 2007 ("Covenant Reversion Date"), any failure by us to comply with the covenants contained in the original indenture agreement related to the required filing of reports with the SEC, and the furnishing of copies of the SEC reports and certain compliance certificates to the Trustee, will not constitute a default, and that (ii) if, but for the Second Supplemental Indenture, a default would be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with such covenants and such default remains uncured and is continuing as of the Covenant Reversion Date, such default will be deemed to have occurred on the Covenant Reversion Date.

        On October 15, 2007, we received an additional notice of default asserting that a default had occurred under the Indenture (as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture and the Second Supplemental Indenture) with respect to the Notes. The specific purported defaults referred to in the notice of default were (i) our failure to file with the SEC and provide copies to the Trustee of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007 and (ii) our failure to deliver to the Trustee the officer's certificate of compliance required by the Indenture. The notice of default provided that we had 60 consecutive days from October 15, 2007 to cure the purported defaults before such defaults

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would constitute an "Event of Default" under the Indenture. The occurrence of an "Event of Default" under the Indenture would afford the Trustee or holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes the right to declare the full principal amount of all outstanding Notes to be immediately due and payable. On October 17, 2007, we filed our Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007 with the SEC and on October 19, 2007, we filed our Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007 with the SEC and delivered the officer's certificate of compliance required by the Indenture to the Trustee. We were subsequently notified by the Trustee that we had cured our purported default under the Indenture within the period specified by the notice of default.

        Under the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Notes accrued an additional 6.75% per annum in special interest from and after January 9, 2007 to and including July 25, 2007, and accrued an additional 10% per annum in special interest from and after July 26, 2007 to the date the Notes are paid, prepaid, redeemed, converted or otherwise cease to be outstanding. The special interest rate accruing on the Notes after July 26, 2007 represents an increase of 3.25% per annum over the previous special interest rate of 6.75% per annum provided by the First Supplemental Indenture. As a result of the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Notes now bear a stated interest rate of 10.875%. We had $22.0 million of additional interest expense in 2007 compared to 2006 resulting from the First and Second Supplemental Indentures. Payments of special interest will be made in addition to, and at the same time and in the same manner as, regularly scheduled payments of interest to holders entitled to such regularly scheduled payments of interest.

        On February 28, 2008, we transferred $289.5 million to the Trustee for the Notes in order to assure the repayment of our Notes which mature on March 1, 2008. This amount includes a principal payment of $274.6 million and $14.9 million in accrued interest. The Trustee has been instructed to pay all amounts to the Note holders when due.

        Our China sales are generally denominated in local currency, and we accept commercial notes receivable with maturity dates ranging from three to six months from our customers in China in the normal course of business. Notes receivable available for sale was $12.6 million and $5.1 million at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. We may discount these notes with banking institutions in China. Any notes that have been sold are not included in our consolidated balance sheets if the criteria for sale treatment established by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities" ("SFAS 140") have been met.

        Due to the limitations on converting Renminbi, we are limited in our ability to engage in foreign currency hedging activities in China. We cannot guarantee that fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates in the future will not have a material adverse effect on revenues from international sales and, correspondingly, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We have contracts negotiated in Japanese Yen and we maintain bank accounts in Japanese Yen for purchasing portions of our inventories and supplies. The balance of these Japanese Yen accounts at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $10.5 million and $13.1 million, respectively.

        On August 1, 2005, we entered into a 364-day $100.0 million committed receivables purchase facility with a financial institution. In March 2007, the agreement was amended and restated to reflect that the purchase of trade receivables shall be at the sole discretion of the financial institution. The agreement was also extended to the earlier of (i) March 28, 2008 or (ii) upon 90 days written notice by the financial institution. Pursuant to the terms of the receivable purchase facility, we may sell certain receivables arising from the sale of telecommunications equipment to this financial institution. No receivables had been sold pursuant to this arrangement.

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Income taxes

        Certain subsidiaries and joint ventures located in China enjoy tax benefits in China which are generally available to foreign investment enterprises, including full exemption from national enterprise income tax for two years starting from the first profit-making year and/or a 50% reduction in national income tax rate for the following three years. In addition, local enterprise income tax is often waived or reduced during this tax holiday/incentive period. Under current regulations in China, foreign investment enterprises that have been accredited as technologically advanced enterprises are entitled to additional tax incentives. These tax incentives vary in different locales and could include preferential national enterprise income tax treatment at 50% of the usual rates for different periods of time. The tax holidays/incentives discussed above are applicable or potentially applicable to UTStarcom ChongQing Telecom Co. Ltd. ("CUTS"), UTStarcom Telecom Co., Ltd. ("HUTS"), and UTStarcom China Co., Ltd. ("UTSC"), the Company's active subsidiaries in China, because these entities may qualify as accredited technologically advanced enterprises.

        During the second quarter of 2005, HUTS received approval for a Knowledge Intensive, Technology Intensive Certificate ("the Certificate") which subjects the Company to a reduced national tax rate of 15%. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a reduction in tax expense attributable to an increase in deferred tax assets arising from the assessment of a local income tax for HUTS and HSTC in China. The approval of the Certificate currently has no effect on the local taxation of HUTS.

        On March 16, 2007, China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, passed the China Corporate Income Tax Law ("CIT Law"). CIT Law will be effective on January 1, 2008. Under the CIT Law, China's dual tax system for domestic enterprises and foreign investment enterprises ("FIEs") would be effectively replaced by a unified system. The new law establishes a tax rate of 25% for most enterprises and a reduced tax rate of 15% for certain qualified high technology enterprises.

        Prior to this change in tax law, certain subsidiaries and joint ventures located in China enjoy tax benefits in China which are generally available to FIEs. The tax holidays/incentives for FIEs were applicable or potentially applicable to CUTS, HUTS and UTSC, our active subsidiaries in China, as those entities may qualify as accredited technologically advanced enterprises.

        CIT Law targets certain industries for the reduced 15% tax rate for certain qualified high technology enterprises. For FIEs established before the promulgation of the new law who currently enjoy lower tax rates, any increase in their tax rates would be gradually phased in over five years. Based on the CIT Law as of December 31, 2007, the Company's subsidiaries have not qualified for the reduced 15% tax rate. However, significant regulations regarding the interpretation and implementation of the new tax law are still pending and the Company's subsidiaries may qualify for the reduced 15% tax rate in the future.

        The Chinese central government may review and audit tax benefits granted by local or provincial authorities and could determine to disallow such benefits. Certain of our subsidiaries and joint ventures located in China enjoy tax benefits in China that are generally available to foreign investment enterprises. If these tax benefits are reduced, disallowed or repealed due to changes in tax laws or determination by the Chinese government, our business could suffer.

Off balance sheet arrangements

        On August 1, 2005, we entered into a 364-day committed receivables purchase facility with a financial institution, which provides for the sale of up to $100.0 million of trade accounts receivable of our PCD segment. On March 30, 2007, the agreement was amended and restated to reflect that the purchase of trade receivables shall be at the sole discretion of the financial institution. Potential sales of the accounts receivables under this program will result in a reduction of total accounts receivable in

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our consolidated balance sheet. The remaining accounts receivables not sold will be carried at their net realizable value, including an allowance for doubtful accounts. We have not sold any receivables pursuant to this facility during 2007 or 2006. We believe that available funding under our accounts receivable financing program provides us increased flexibility to manage working capital requirements, and that there are sufficient trade accounts receivable to support the U.S. financing programs. Under the program, we will continue to service the accounts receivable.

        At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had no other off balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual obligations and other commercial commitments

        Our obligations under contractual obligations and commercial commitments are primarily with regard to leasing arrangements and standby letters of credit and are as follows:

Bank loans

        At December 31, 2007, we had loans with various banks totaling $48 million with interest rates ranging from 5.75% to 7.10% per annum. These bank loans mature in 2008 and are included in short-term debt.

Convertible subordinated notes

        Our convertible subordinated notes, due March 1, 2008, are convertible into our common stock at a conversion price of $23.79 per share and are subordinated to all our present and future senior debt. The principal is due only at maturity of the notes.

        Effective January 9, 2007, the Company and the holders of the remaining $274.6 million of convertible subordinated notes entered into a First Supplemental Indenture, providing that any failure by us to comply with certain provisions of the original agreement will not result in a default or an event of default through May 31, 2007. Pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture, the convertible subordinated notes accrued an additional 6.75% per annum in special interest from and after January 9, 2007 to the March 1, 2008 maturity date of the notes. On July 26, 2007, we entered into a Second Supplemental Indenture which provided that the convertible subordinated notes accrue an additional 10% per annum in special interest from and after July 26, 2007 to the March 31, 2008 maturity date of the notes. The special interest rate represented an increase of 3.25% per annum over the previous special interest rate of 6.75% per annum in the First Supplemental Indenture. As a result of the Second Supplemental Indenture, the convertible subordinated notes now bear a stated interest rate of 10.875%. Interest is payable semiannually on March 1 and September 1, and payments of the special interest are made in addition to and at the same time and in the same manner as regularly scheduled payments of interest to holders entitled to such regularly scheduled payments of interest. For more information regarding the notice of default on May 31, 2007, the notice of default on October 15, 2007, and the Company's Second Supplemental Indenture, see the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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        On February 28, 2008, we transferred $289.5 million to the Trustee for the Notes (the "Trustee") in order to assure the repayment of our Notes which mature on March 1, 2008. This amount includes a principal payment of $274.6 million and $14.9 million in accrued interest. The Trustee has been instructed to pay all amounts to the Note holders when due.

Operating leases

        We lease certain facilities under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2013.

Letters of credit

        We issue standby letters of credit primarily to support international sales activities outside of China. When we submit a bid for a sale, often the potential customer will require that we issue a bid bond or a standby letter of credit to demonstrate our commitment through the bid process. In addition, we may be required to issue standby letters of credit as guarantees for advance customer payments upon contract signing or performance guarantees. The standby letters of credit usually expire six to twelve months from date of issuance without being drawn by the beneficiary thereof.

Purchase commitments

        We are obligated to purchase raw materials and work-in-process inventory under various orders from various suppliers, all of which should be fulfilled without adverse consequences material to our operations or financial condition. Purchase commitments exclude agreements that are cancelable without penalty. Additionally, we have agreed to purchase from Marvell certain chip sets that will be included in 50% to 100% of our PAS handsets through 2011.

Accounts receivable transferred to notes receivable

        We accept bank notes and commercial notes receivable from our customers in China in the normal course of business. The notes are typically non-interest bearing, with maturity dates between three and six months. Bank notes are included in short-term investments. Commercial notes receivable available for sale were $12.6 million and $5.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We may discount these notes with banking institutions in China. A sale of these notes is reflected as a reduction of notes receivable and the proceeds of the settlement of these notes are included in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. There were no notes receivable sold during 2007 and 2006. We sold notes receivable totaling $13.0 million in 2005. Any notes that have been sold are not included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets if the criteria for sale treatment established by SFAS No. 140 "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities," has been met.

Intellectual property

        Certain sales contracts include provisions under which customers would be indemnified by us in the event of, among other things, a third-party claim against the customer for intellectual property rights infringement related to our products. There are no limitations on the maximum potential future payments under these guarantees. We have not accrued any amounts in relation to these provisions as no such claims have been made and we believe we have valid enforceable rights to the intellectual property embedded in our products.

Income Tax Obligations

        Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48. As of December 31, 2007, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits totaled $79.7 million and are included in Other

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Long Term Liabilities, net of certain deferred tax assets and the federal tax benefit of state income tax items totaling $71.3 million. If recognized, the portion of gross unrecognized tax benefits that would decrease the provision for income taxes and increase the Company's net income is approximately $8.4 million. The Company has not included these amounts in the table of contractual obligations and commercial commitments because of the difficulty in making reasonably reliable estimates of the timing of cash settlements with the respective taxing authorities.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

        Our financial condition and results of operations are based on certain critical accounting policies and estimates, which include judgments, estimates and assumptions on the part of management. Estimates are based on historical experience, knowledge of economic and market factors and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The following summary of critical accounting policies and estimates highlights those areas of significant judgment in the application of our accounting policies that affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

        Revenues from sales of telecommunications equipment and handsets are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable. If the payment due from the customer is not fixed or determinable due to extended payment terms, revenue is recognized as payments become due and payable by the customer, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. Any payments received prior to revenue recognition are recorded as customer advances. Normal payment terms differ for various reasons amongst different customer regions, depending upon common business practices for customers within a region. Billing to customers for shipping and handling are recorded as revenues and the associated costs are recorded as costs of revenues. Any expected losses on contracts are recognized when identified on an individual basis in accordance with the prevailing accounting guidance for the respective contract.

        Sales may be generated from complex contractual arrangements that require significant revenue recognition judgments, particularly in the area of contracts with multiple deliverable elements (multiple element arrangements). Where multiple elements exist in an arrangement, the contract price is allocated to the different elements based upon and in proportion to verifiable objective evidence of the fair value of the various elements, as governed under Emerging Issues Task Force Issue ("EITF") No. 00-21, "Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables," and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, "Revenue Recognition." Multiple element arrangements primarily involve the sale of equipment, installation, training and post-contract support. Revenue is recognized as each element is earned, namely upon installation and acceptance of equipment or delivery of handsets, provided that the fair value of the undelivered element(s) has been determined, the delivered element(s) has stand-alone value, there is no right of return on delivered element(s), and we are in control of the undelivered element(s). For arrangements that include service elements, including promotional support and installation, for which verifiable objective evidence of the fair value does not exist, revenue is deferred until such services are deemed complete, or until the time we can establish verifiable objective evidence of the fair value.

        Final acceptance is required for revenue recognition when installation services are not considered perfunctory. Final acceptance indicates that the customer has fully accepted delivery of equipment and we are entitled to full payment. We do not recognize revenue before final acceptance is granted by the customer if acceptance is considered substantive to the transaction.

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        Where multiple elements exist in an arrangement that includes software, and the software is considered more than incidental to the equipment or services in the arrangement, software and software related elements are recognized under the provisions of Statement of Position 97-2, "Software Revenue Recognition," as amended, and EITF No. 03-05, "Applicability of SOP 97-2 to Non-software Deliverables Containing More Than Incidental Software." We allocate revenues to each element of software arrangements based on vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of fair value. VSOE of fair value of each element is based on the price charged when the same element is sold separately. We use the residual method to recognize revenue when an arrangement includes one or more elements to be delivered at a future date and VSOE of the fair value of all the undelivered elements exists. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the contract price is recognized as revenue when all other revenue recognition criteria are met. If VSOE of fair value of one or more undelivered elements does not exist, all revenue for delivered and undelivered elements is deferred until delivery of all elements occurs or when VSOE of fair value of the undelivered elements can be established. In some cases we have agreed to give software upgrade rights on a "when and if made available" basis for equipment sold for no additional consideration and for an unspecified period which could extend over the term of the contract. This additional contract obligation is an element of "post contract support." We have not established VSOE for such contract element. Accordingly, the revenues from such contracts are recognized ratably over the period during which the post contract support is expected to be provided. The expected period of support is generally the term of the contract. In some cases where there is no stated contractual term, revenue is recognized ratably over the estimated period of support. We review assumptions regarding the estimated post contract support periods on a regular basis. If we determine that it is necessary to revise our estimates of the support periods, the amount of revenue recognized over the life of the contract would not be affected. However, to the extent the new assumptions regarding the post contract support periods were different than original assumptions, the contract revenues would be recognized over the remaining expected period of support.

        Revenue from fixed priced contracts that include a requirement for significant software modification or customization is recognized in accordance with SOP No. 81-1, "Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production Type Contracts". In such instances, we account for such contracts using the completed contract method of accounting, whereby no revenue is recognized prior to the completion of the project, because for contracts involving unique requirements we are unable to make reasonably dependable estimates of its progress towards meeting contractual requirements. In the event estimated total project costs exceed estimated total project revenues, the entire estimated loss is charged to operations in the period in which the loss becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. The complexity of the estimation process and judgments about internal and external factors including labor utilization, changes to specifications and testing requirements, time required for performance and resulting incurrence of contract penalties, and the performance of subcontractors affect the estimation process. During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, we recorded $32.1 million and $6.2 million contract loss on a fixed price contract, respectively.

        We recognize revenue for system integration, installation and training upon completion of performance and if all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Other service revenue, principally related to maintenance and support contracts, is recognized ratably over the maintenance term. Revenues from services were less than 10% of revenues for all periods presented.

        We also sell products through resellers. Revenue is generally recognized when the standard price protection period, which ranges from 30 to 90 days, has lapsed. If collectability cannot be reasonably assured in a reseller arrangement, revenue is recognized upon sell through to the end customer and receipt of cash. There may be additional obligations in reseller arrangements such as inventory rotation, or stock exchange rights on the product. As such, revenue is recognized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 48, "Revenue Recognition When Right of Return

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Exists." In most cases, we have developed reasonable estimates for stock exchanges based on historical experience with similar types of sales of similar products.

        We have sales agreements with certain wireless customers that provide for a rebate of the selling price to such customers if the particular product is subsequently sold at a lower price to such customers or to a different customer. The rebate period extends for a relatively short period of time. Historically, the amounts of such rebates paid to customers have not been material. We estimate the amount of the rebate based upon the terms of each individual arrangement, historical experience and future expectations of price reductions and then record our estimate of the rebate amount at the time of the sale. We also enter into sales incentive programs, such as co-marketing arrangements, with certain wireless and handset customers. We record the incurred incentive as a reduction of revenue when the sales revenue is recognized.

        The assessment of collectability is also a factor in determining whether revenue should be recognized. We assess collectability based on a number of factors, including payment history and the credit worthiness of the customer. We do not request collateral from our customers. In international sales, we may require letters of credit from our customers that can be drawn on demand if the customer defaults on its payment. If we determine that collection of a payment is not reasonably assured, we defer revenue recognition until collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of cash.

        Occasionally, we enter into revenue sharing arrangements. Under these arrangements, we collect payment only after our customer, the telecommunications service provider, collects service revenues. When we enter into a revenue sharing arrangement, we do not recognize revenue until collection is reasonably assured.

        Because of the nature of doing business in China and other emerging markets, our billings and/or customer payments may not correlate with the contractual payment terms and we generally do not enforce contractual payment terms prior to final acceptance. Accordingly, accounts receivable are not recorded until we recognize the related customer revenue. Advances from customers are recognized when we have collected cash from the customer, prior to recognizing revenue. Deferred revenue is recorded if there are undelivered elements after final acceptance has been obtained.

Restructuring Liabilities, Litigation and Other Contingencies

        We account for the Company's restructuring plans under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS 146") and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits" ("SFAS 112"). We account for litigation and contingencies in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies" ("SFAS 5"). SFAS 5 requires that we record an estimated loss from a loss contingency when information available prior to issuance of our financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

Stock-Based Compensation

        Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for share-based payment awards under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"), and provided the required pro forma disclosures under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." In accordance with APB 25, non-cash compensation expense was recognized for any options for which the exercise price was below the market price on the actual grant date, based on the difference between the exercise price and the

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market price. The expense was recognized ratably over the associated service period, which was generally the option vesting term.

        On January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment," ("SFAS 123(R)"), using the modified prospective transition method. Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 included compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of December 31, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS 123 and compensation expense for the share-based payment awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R).

        On November 10, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123(R)-3, "Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards." The Company has elected to adopt the alternative transition method provided in the FASB Staff Position for calculating the tax effects of stock-based compensation pursuant to SFAS 123(R). The alternative transition method includes simplified methods for establishing the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool ("APIC pool") related to the tax effects of employee stock-based compensation, and to determine the subsequent impact on the APIC pool and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the tax effects of employee stock-based compensation awards that are outstanding upon adoption of SFAS 123(R). The Company accounts for utilization of windfall tax benefits based on tax law ordering and considered only the direct effects of stock-based compensation for purposes of measuring the windfall at settlement of an award.

        Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards require the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the share-based payment awards and stock volatility. The Company estimates an expected term of options granted based upon the Company's historical exercise and cancellation data for vested options. The Company uses historical volatility as management believes it is more representative of future stock price trends than implied volatility due to the relatively small number of actively traded options on the Company's common stock available to determine implied volatility. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and compensation expense could be materially different in the future. Because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management's opinion, the existing valuation models may not provide an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company's employee stock options. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for those shares expected to vest. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from the Company's estimate, the stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what the Company has recorded in the current period.

Product Warranty

        We provide a warranty on our equipment and handset sales for a period generally ranging from one to two years from the time of final acceptance. Very rarely, we have entered into arrangements to provide limited warranty services for periods longer than two years. We provide for the expected cost of product warranties at the time that revenue is recognized based on an assessment of past warranty experience and when specific circumstances dictate. From time to time, we may be subject to additional costs related to non-standard warranty claims from our customers. If and when this occurs, we estimate additional accruals based on historical experience, communication with our customers and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such additional warranty accruals are recorded in the period in which the additional costs are identified.

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Variable Interest Entities

        The Financial Accounting Standards Board, ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), ("FIN 46(R)"). FIN 46(R) requires that if an entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, ("VIE"), the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the VIE should be included in the consolidated financial statements of the entity. We adopted FIN 46(R) in the quarter ended December 31, 2003. We evaluate our investments periodically or when "triggering" events occur for the application of FIN 46(R).

Receivables

        Although the Company evaluates customer credit worthiness prior to a sale, the Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts for the estimated loss on trade and notes receivable when collection may no longer be reasonably assured. The Company assesses collectability of receivables based on a number of factors including analysis of creditworthiness, the Company's historical payment history and current economic conditions, its ability to collect payment and on the length of time an individual receivable balance is outstanding. The Company's policy for determining the allowance for doubtful accounts includes both specific allowances for balances known to be uncollectible and a formula-based portfolio approach, based on aging of the accounts receivable, as a precursor to a management review of the overall allowance for doubtful accounts. This formula-based approach involves aging of the Company's accounts receivable and applying a percentage based on the Company's historical experience; this approach results in the allowance being computed based on the aging of the receivables. The Company evaluates the percentages applied to each category of aged accounts receivable periodically based on actual history of write-offs and collections and refines this formula-based approach accordingly for use in future periods.

        The Company has certain accounts receivable in China that have been outstanding for a significant period of time. The Company provides allowances for these receivables based on the criteria discussed above. While the Company believes it has sufficient experience and knowledge of the China market and customer payment patterns to reasonably estimate such allowances, actual payment patterns and customer behavior could differ from its expectations. The Company uses actual collection experience to periodically adjust the percentages used in applying the formula-based portfolio approach as discussed above.

Inventories

        Inventories consist of product held at our manufacturing facility and warehouses, as well as finished goods at customer sites for which the customer has taken possession, but based on specific contractual terms, title has not yet passed to the customer. We may ship inventory to existing customers that require additional equipment to expand their existing networks prior to the signing of an expansion contract. Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value, based on the FIFO method of accounting, except for PCD which utilizes weighted average method of accounting that approximates FIFO, net of write-downs for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory. Write-downs are based on our assumptions about future market conditions and customer demand, including projected changes in average selling prices resulting from competitive pricing pressures. We continually monitor inventory valuation for potential losses and obsolete inventory at our manufacturing facilities as well as at customer sites. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required. If actual market conditions are more favorable than anticipated, inventory previously written down may be sold to customers, resulting in lower cost of sales and higher income from operations than expected in that period.

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Deferred costs

        Deferred costs consist of product shipped to the customer where the rights and obligations of ownership have passed to the customer, but revenue has not yet been recognized. All deferred costs are stated at cost. We periodically assess the recoverability of deferred costs and provide reserves against deferred cost balances when recovery of deferred costs is not probable. Recoverability is evaluated based on various factors including the length of time product has been held at the customer site, the viability of payment, including assessment of product demand if a revenue sharing arrangement exists and/or the evaluation if a related transaction will result in a gross margin loss. In a loss situation for a transaction, the deferred cost balance is adjusted for an impairment equal to the value of the excess of cost over the amount of revenue that will be eventually recognized for the transaction. Revenue and cost of sales are recorded when final acceptance is received from the customer. With greater concentration of product at customer sites under contract with specific or individual customer, the financial conditions of such specific or individual customer may result in increased concentration risk exposure for our inventory.

        For any post contract support services where the revenue is deferred, the entire related deferred direct costs are classified as a noncurrent asset, consistent with the definition of a current asset per Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43, "Working Capital: Current Assets and Current Liabilities."

Research and Development and Capitalized Software Development Costs

        Our research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. We capitalize software development costs, incurred in the development of software that will ultimately be sold, between the time technological feasibility has been attained and the related product is ready for general release. Management judgment is required in assessing technological feasibility, expected future revenues, estimated product lives and changes in product technologies, and the ultimate recoverability of our capitalized software development costs.

Income Taxes

        We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company's tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. In July 2006 the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48) which requires income tax positions to meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized in the financial statements. Under FIN 48, tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. We recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as part of the provision for income taxes. We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. Prior to 2007, the Company established reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes and interest will be due.

        We recognize deferred income taxes as the difference between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial statement amounts based on enacted tax rates. Management judgment is required in the assessment of the recoverability of our deferred tax assets based on its assessment of projected taxable income. Numerous factors could affect our results of operations in the future. If there was a significant decline in our future operating results, its assessment of the recoverability of its deferred tax assets would need to be revised, and any such adjustment to its deferred tax assets would be charged to

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income in that period. If necessary, we record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized.

        In 2006, due to developments in its business and repatriations of cash via dividends and settlements of intercompany accounts as described in Note 1, "Basis of Presentation and Liquidity" of Notes to the financial statements, we made a determination that earnings from certain subsidiaries were not permanently reinvested outside the United States. We provide U.S. taxes on foreign undistributed earnings that are not considered to be permanently reinvested outside the United States.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of entities accounted for using the purchase method of accounting are estimated by management based on the fair value of assets received. Identifiable intangible assets are comprised of purchased trade names, developed technologies, customer and supplier relationships, and other intangible assets. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is subject to annual assessment, at a minimum, for impairment by applying a fair-value based test. Future goodwill impairment tests could result in a charge to earnings. Purchased intangibles with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances and written down when impaired. Purchased intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be indefinite. Purchase intangible assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization.

        We performed our annual goodwill impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of 2007. Based on our estimates of forecasted discounted cash flows, we concluded that our goodwill was impaired and recorded a charge of $3.1 million. We have also assessed the recoverability of our long-lived assets, by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted future cash flows. Asset impairments primarily consist of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment and are based on an estimate of the amounts and timing of future cash flows related to the expected future remaining use and ultimate sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment net of costs to sell. During 2007, we incurred $15.7 million and $1.2 million of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment impairment charges, respectively.

        The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and other intangibles is highly subjective and requires significant judgment. We estimate expected future cash flows of our various businesses, which operate in a number of markets and geographical regions. We then determine the carrying value of these businesses. We exercise judgment in assigning and allocating certain assets and liabilities to these businesses. We then compare the carrying value including goodwill and other intangibles to the discounted future cash flows. If the total of future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Estimates of the future cash flows associated with the assets are critical to these assessments. Changes in these estimates based on changed economic conditions or business strategies could result in material impairment charges in future periods.

        The process of evaluating the potential impairment of long-lived assets such as our property, plant and equipment is also highly subjective and requires significant judgment. In order to estimate the fair value of long-lived assets, we typically make various assumptions about the future prospects for the business that the asset relates to, consider market factors specific to that business and estimate future cash flows to be generated by that business. Based on these assumptions and estimates, we determine whether we need to recognize an impairment charge to reduce the value of the asset stated on our balance sheet to reflect its estimated fair value. Assumptions and estimates about future values and

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remaining useful lives are complex and often subjective. They can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors such as the real estate market, industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in our business strategy and our internal forecasts. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, changes in assumptions and estimates could materially impact our reported financial results.

Investments

        We account for our investments in debt and equity securities under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities and FASB Staff Position, or FSP, SFAS No. 115-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. Management determines the appropriate classification of such securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. We follow the guidance provided by EITF No. 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments, to assess whether the investments with unrealized loss positions are other temporarily impaired. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in the statements of operations.

        We also have made strategic investments in publicly traded and privately held companies for the promotion of business and strategic objectives. Our investments in publicly traded equity securities are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale investments are initially recorded at cost and periodically adjusted to fair value through comprehensive income. The investments in equity securities of non-publicly traded companies are accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, strategic investments in which we hold less than 20% voting interest and on which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Both types of investments are carried at fair value or cost, as appropriate. We recognize an impairment charge when the decline in the fair value of our publicly traded equity securities and our cost-method investments below their cost basis are judged to be other-than-temporary. Significant judgment is used to identify events or circumstances that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the future use of the investment. We consider various factors in determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the impairment, forecasted recovery, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PROUNCEMENTS

        See Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on results of operations and financial condition, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7A—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in the stock market.

Interest Rate Risk:

        Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. The fair value of our investment portfolio would not be significantly affected by either a 10% increase or decrease in interest rates due mainly to the short term nature of most of our investment portfolio. However, our interest income can be sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S and

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China interest rates since the majority of our funds are invested in instruments with maturities of less than one year. In a declining interest rate environment, as short term investments mature, reinvestment occurs at less favorable market rates. Given the short term nature of certain investments, anticipated declining interest rates will negatively impact our investment income.

        We maintain an investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. We do not use derivative financial instruments. We place our cash investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy guidelines. Our policy is to limit the risk of principal loss and to ensure the safety of invested funds by generally attempting to limit market risk. Funds in excess of current operating requirements are mostly invested in government-backed notes, commercial paper, floating rate corporate bonds and fixed income corporate bonds. In accordance with our investment policy, all short-term investments are invested in "investment grade" rated securities with minimum A or better ratings. Currently, most of our short-term investments have AA or better ratings.

        Our cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk due to the short maturities of these instruments. As of December 31, 2007 the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximated fair value.

        The table below represents carrying amounts and related weighted-average interest rates of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2007 and 2006: