QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT 2002

        This certification is not to be deemed filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and does not constitute a part of the Quarterly Report of UTStarcom, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report").

        In connection with the Report, we, Hong Liang Lu and Francis P. Barton, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, that:

          (i)  the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

         (ii)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 9, 2006

By:	/s/ HONG LIANG LU Name: Hong Liang Lu Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
By:	/s/ FRANCIS P. BARTON Name: Francis P. Barton
	Title: Executive Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer

QuickLinks

Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT 2002