Role of UTStarcom for the Touch Pro?

**[sammich]** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 09:48 PM

Random question...

What does UTStarcom have to do with the TP? I've seen a few posts about them doing repairs on the TP and other things...

I drive by one of their HUGE offices about once every month... They have a beautiful building. The exterior has different angles and dimensions and the textures are different for each surface. It looks like some abstract artwork.

Here's a crappy pic from google streetview. You can KINDA see what I'm talking about. BTW, that's just the side of the building =]

**bikeandestroyx** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saumaun

Random question...

What does UTStarcom have to do with the TP? I've seen a few posts about them doing repairs on the TP and other things...

I drive by one of their HUGE offices about once every month... They have a beautiful building. The exterior has different angles and dimensions and the textures are different for each surface. It looks like some abstract artwork.

Here's a crappy pic from google streetview. You can KINDA see what I'm talking about. BTW, that's just the side of the building =]

ive been wondering also!
it seems like they play a part with the apache too and a lot of other HTC phones.

dividebyzero · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 10:39 PM

I think they modify it for CDMA networks. I only see them mentioned in conjunction with Verizon and others who use CDMA.

bigchico67 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 10:58 PM

That is my take on it also. I think they are the ones you do the mods so that the phones are ready for CDMA networks.

**MrHawaii** · #5 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dividebyzero

I think they modify it for CDMA networks. I only see them mentioned in conjunction with Verizon and others who use CDMA.

I think what he said is correct or close to it.

But I think they sold their Handset Division a while back. I think to AIG of all companies!

**Darkjedi** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 11:22 PM

I never did understand the relationship of HTC and UT Starcom...

**MrHawaii** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 11:28 PM

Yup it was sold to AIG. This article was posted in July '08.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/01/qts...markets15.html

MidwestDrummer · #8 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 12:16 AM

UTStarcom's website hosted/hosts ROM updates for some HTC devices as well.

helix139 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 05:13 PM

They are HTC's US distributor and support partner for their CDMA products

frazell · #10 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 06:12 PM

I don't work for HTC or UTStarcom so my thoughts are just guesses... With that disclaimer out of the way...

Making cell phones is a very relationship intensive business. Every carrier wants a very close relationship with the handset makers so the phones are tested and modified to exactly what they want on their networks or works. HTC only maintains that relationship with their GSM carriers. Probably because GSM is the larger world market so they make their devices for GSM and employ GSM people to marry those carriers.

UTStarcom then works closely with the CDMA carriers which are primarily in North America (Canadian CDMA devices from HTC are also UTStarcom). This gives HTC the freedom of dealing only with UTStarcom keeping their costs down. It also allows the CDMA carriers to feel closer to the ODM as they work directly with UTStarcom.

With that in mind you can understand the CDMA devices as being manufactured by HTC and designed by HTC as well (since the CDMA is minor adaptations of the GSM variants), but sold and supported by UTStarcom. The closest we can get to this (with an example that we all know of) is the relationship between Microsoft and PC OEMs.

Hopefully that makes sense... Although it is all just speculation on my part.