QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

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

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14a INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

oý

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ýo

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

UTSTARCOM, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
     
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        

  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        

  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        

  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        

  (5) Total fee paid:
        


o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        

  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        

  (3) Filing Party:
        

  (4) Date Filed:
        


LOGOLOGO

June 21, 2006

Dear Stockholder:

        You are cordially invited to attend the 20062008 annual meeting of stockholders of UTStarcom, Inc. (the "Company"), to be held at the Hilton Oakland Airport, 1 Hegenberger Road, Oakland,offices of the Company, 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, California 94621,94502, on Friday, July 21, 2006June 27, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.1 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time.local time. Enclosed are a notice of annual meeting of stockholders, a proxy statement describing the business to be transacted at the meeting and a proxy card for use in voting at the meeting.

        At the annual meeting, you will be asked to vote on the important matters described in detail in the notice of annual meeting of stockholders and proxy statement accompanying this letter. ThereYou will also will behave an opportunity for you to ask questions and receive information about the business of the Company.Company's business.

        Included with the proxy statement is a copy of the Company's annual reportAnnual Report to stockholders. We encourage you to read the annual report.Annual Report. It includes information on the Company's operations as well as the Company's audited financial statements.

        Please take this opportunity to participate in the affairs of the Company by voting on the business to come before this meeting.WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASEYOU ARE URGED TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY AND VOTING INSTRUCTIONS OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE, OR, COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE SO THAT YOUR SHARES MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. Returning the proxy card does not deprive you of your right to attend the meeting and to vote your shares in person.

        We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

  Sincerely,

 

 

/s/  
HONG LIANG LU      
Hong Liang Lu
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING AND DESIRE TO WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON AND YOUR PROXY WILL BE WITHDRAWN.



UTSTARCOM, INC.




NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held June 27, 2008
To Be Held July 21, 2006


To theour Stockholders:

        NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of UTStarcom, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, will be held on Friday, July 21, 2006June 27, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.1 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time,local time, at the Hilton Oakland Airport, 1 Hegenberger Road, Oakland,offices of the Company, 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, California 94621,94502, for the following purposes:

        The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 25, 2006April 29, 2008 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.

        All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to submit your proxy and voting instructions over the Internet or by telephone, or complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the postage-paid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Any stockholder of record attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person even if he or she returned a proxy.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on June 27, 2008: The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 are available free of charge at [                                    ].

  By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

/s/  
FRANCIS P. BARTON      
Francis P. Barton
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Alameda, California
June 21, 2006[                      ], 2008


YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

To assure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are requestedasked to submit your proxy and voting instructions over the Internet or by telephone, or complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States.


UTSTARCOM, INC.


PROXY STATEMENT



QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSINFORMATION ABOUT THE PROXY STATEMENT AND
VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Q:

Why am I receiving these materials?

A:
The Board of Directors (the "Board" or "Board of Directors") of UTStarcom, Inc. (the "Company") is providing this proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") prepared in connection with the Company's annual meeting of stockholders, which will take place on Friday, July 21, 2006June 27, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.1 p.m., Pacific Daylight Timelocal time (the "Annual Meeting" or "20062008 Annual Meeting") at the Hilton Oakland Airport, 1 Hegenberger Road, Oakland,offices of the Company, 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, California 94621.94502. The Company's telephone number at that location is (510) 635-5000.864-8800. As a stockholder, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and requestedare asked to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.

        These proxy solicitation materials and the Company's Annual Report to stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2007 were mailed on or about [                                    ], 2008 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Q:
What information is containedthe purpose of the Annual Meeting?

A:
To vote on the following proposals:

To elect Larry D. Horner and Allen Lenzmeier as Class II Directors to serve for a term expiring on the date on which the Company's annual meeting of stockholders is held in this Proxy Statement?the year 2011;

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, 2008;

To approve a stock option exchange program for employees (excluding executive officers and directors), pursuant to which eligible employees will be offered the opportunity to exchange their eligible options to purchase shares of common stock outstanding under the Company's existing equity incentive plans, for a smaller number of new options at a lower exercise price; and

To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Q:
What are the Board of Directors' recommendations?

A:
The informationBoard recommends that you vote your shares:

"FOR" the election of Larry D. Horner and Allen Lenzmeier as Class II directors;

"FOR" the ratification and approval of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2008 fiscal year,

"FOR" the stock option exchange program for employees, as described above; and

Each proxy also gives each of the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote your shares in this Proxy Statement relatesaccordance with his or her judgment with respect to all additional matters that might come before the Annual Meeting.


Q;
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

A:
Stockholders Entitled to Vote.    Stockholders who our records show owned shares of UTStarcom Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date (April 29, 2008) may vote at the Annual Meeting.
Q:
How many votes do I have?

A:
On each proposal to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of Common Stock of the Company you own as of the Record Date.

Q:
How may I obtain a separate set of proxy materials or Annual ReportProxy Statement for 2005?2008?

A:
If you share an address with another stockholder, and previously consented to receiving one copy of the Proxy Statement on a voter instruction card submitted for last year's annual meeting of stockholders and do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials, only one copy of this Proxy Statement is being delivered to you. A stockholder at a shared address who received a single copy of this Proxy Statement may request a separate copy either by calling the number provided below or by mailing a written request to the Company's principal executive offices at the address below:

Corporate Secretary
UTStarcom, Inc.
1275 Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda, California 94502
510-864-8800

Q:
What proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

A:
The proposals scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are:

    The election of two Class III Directors;

Q:
How does the Board recommend that I vote?

A:
The Company's Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares (1) "FOR" each of the nominees to the Board of Directors, (2) "FOR" the approval of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, and (3) "FOR" the ratification and approval of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2006 fiscal year.

Q:
How many votes do I have?

A:
On each proposal to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of the Common Stock of the Company you own as of the Record Date.

Q:
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

A:
Many of the Company's stockholders hold their shares through a broker or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
Q:
How can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?

A:
Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted by you in person at the Annual Meeting. Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted by you in person at the Annual Meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trusteebank or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares.Even if you plan to attend the Annual

Q:
How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?

A:
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the Annual Meeting. If you are a

Q:
Can I change my vote?

A:
YouFor shares that you hold of record, you may change your proxy at any time prior to the proxy being used at the Annual Meeting by (i) delivering to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at UTStarcom, Inc., 1275 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, California 94502 a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or (ii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The mere presence at the Annual Meeting of a stockholder who has appointed a proxy will not revoke the prior appointment. If not revoked, the proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxy card, or if no instructions are indicated, will be voted "FOR" the slateelection of nominees for the Board described herein,Larry D. Horner and Allen Lenzmeier as Class II directors, "FOR" Proposal No. 2 (to ratify the appointment of PriceWaterhouseCoopers) and "FOR" Proposal No. 3 (to approve the stock option exchange program), and, as to any other matter that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting, in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders. For shares you hold beneficially in street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trusteebank or other nominee following the instruction they provided, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the meeting and voting in person.

Q:
How many shares must be present or represented to conduct business at the Annual Meeting?

A:
The quorum requirement for holding the Annual Meeting and transacting business is that holders of a majority of thein voting power of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company issued and outstanding and

Q:
What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?

A:
In the election of directors, the two nominees receiving the highest number of "FOR" votes at the Annual Meeting will be elected.
Q:
How are votes counted?

A:
In the election of directors, you may vote "FOR" all or some of the nomineesnominee or your vote may be "WITHHELD" with respect to one or more of the nominees.nominee. Votes "WITHHELD" with respect to the election of directors will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting but will have no other legal effect upon election of directors. You may not cumulate your votes for the election of directors.
Q:
What is the effect of broker non-votes?

A:
If you hold shares beneficially in street name and do not provide your broker, bank or other nominee with voting instructions, your shares may constitute "broker non-votes." Generally, broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. At this Annual Meeting, only Proposal 3 is subject to broker non-votes. In tabulating the voting result for any particular proposal, shares that constitute broker non-votes are not considered entitled to vote or votes cast on that proposal. Thus, broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of any proposal being voted on at the Annual Meeting, but will count towards establishing quorum. Abstentions, however, as noted above, will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.Meeting.

Q:
Who will serve as inspector of elections?

A:
The inspector of elections will be a representative from Computershare Trust Company, N.A.N.A, the Company's transfer agent.

Q:
Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the Annual Meeting?

A:
This solicitation is made by the Company, and all costs associated with soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. We have retained The Altman Group to assist with the solicitation for an estimated fee of $9,500 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Company will reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies may be solicited by certain of the Company's directors, officers and regular employees personally or by

Q:
What is the deadline for submission of stockholder proposals for consideration at the Annual Meeting?2009 annual meeting of stockholders?

A:
For a stockholder proposal to be considered for this year's Annual Meeting, the stockholder must (i) deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of shares of the Company's Common Stock to approve that proposal, (ii) provide the information required by the Company's bylaws (the "Bylaws") and (iii) give notice to the Corporate Secretary in accordance with the Bylaws, which requires that the notice be received by the Corporate Secretary within ten (10) days of the mailing date of this Proxy Statement, June 21, 2006. Notice of proposals should be addressed to:

Corporate Secretary
UTStarcom, Inc.
1275 Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda, California 94502

Q:
What is the deadline for submission of stockholder proposals for consideration at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders?

A:
Stockholder Proposals Other Than Nomination of Directors.    For

Corporate Secretary
UTStarcom, Inc.
1275 Harbor Bay Parkway
Alameda, California 94502