diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/index.ts b/modules/@angular/common/index.ts
index eaef0d1cda..ef9e7c4982 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/index.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/index.ts
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ export * from './src/directives';
 export * from './src/forms-deprecated';
 export * from './src/common_directives';
 export * from './src/location';
+export {NgLocalization} from './src/localization';
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/src/directives.ts b/modules/@angular/common/src/directives.ts
index c9ff57ed90..b1cb237d09 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/src/directives.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/src/directives.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export {CORE_DIRECTIVES} from './directives/core_directives';
 export {NgClass} from './directives/ng_class';
 export {NgFor} from './directives/ng_for';
 export {NgIf} from './directives/ng_if';
-export {NgLocalization, NgPlural, NgPluralCase} from './directives/ng_plural';
+export {NgPlural, NgPluralCase} from './directives/ng_plural';
 export {NgStyle} from './directives/ng_style';
 export {NgSwitch, NgSwitchCase, NgSwitchDefault} from './directives/ng_switch';
 export {NgTemplateOutlet} from './directives/ng_template_outlet';
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/src/directives/ng_plural.ts b/modules/@angular/common/src/directives/ng_plural.ts
index e2f75105d1..3577e64b3e 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/src/directives/ng_plural.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/src/directives/ng_plural.ts
@@ -7,19 +7,10 @@
  */
 
 import {AfterContentInit, Attribute, ContentChildren, Directive, Input, QueryList, TemplateRef, ViewContainerRef} from '@angular/core';
-
-import {Map} from '../facade/collection';
-import {NumberWrapper, isPresent} from '../facade/lang';
-
+import {isPresent} from '../facade/lang';
+import {NgLocalization, getPluralCategory} from '../localization';
 import {SwitchView} from './ng_switch';
 
-const _CATEGORY_DEFAULT = 'other';
-
-/**
- * @experimental
- */
-export abstract class NgLocalization { abstract getPluralCategory(value: any): string; }
-
 /**
  * `ngPlural` is an i18n directive that displays DOM sub-trees that match the switch expression
  * value, or failing that, DOM sub-trees that match the switch expression's pluralization category.
@@ -35,9 +26,6 @@ export abstract class NgLocalization { abstract getPluralCategory(value: any): s
  * value matches aren't found and the value maps to its category using the `getPluralCategory`
  * function provided.
  *
- * If no matching views are found for a switch expression, inner elements marked
- * `[ngPluralCase]="other"` will be displayed.
- *
  * ```typescript
  * class MyLocalization extends NgLocalization {
  *    getPluralCategory(value: any) {
@@ -88,7 +76,6 @@ export class NgPluralCase {
   }
 }
 
-
 /**
  * @experimental
  */
@@ -96,7 +83,7 @@ export class NgPluralCase {
 export class NgPlural implements AfterContentInit {
   private _switchValue: number;
   private _activeView: SwitchView;
-  private _caseViews = new Map<any, SwitchView>();
+  private _caseViews: {[k: string]: SwitchView} = {};
   @ContentChildren(NgPluralCase) cases: QueryList<NgPluralCase> = null;
 
   constructor(private _localization: NgLocalization) {}
@@ -109,7 +96,7 @@ export class NgPlural implements AfterContentInit {
 
   ngAfterContentInit() {
     this.cases.forEach((pluralCase: NgPluralCase): void => {
-      this._caseViews.set(this._formatValue(pluralCase), pluralCase._view);
+      this._caseViews[pluralCase.value] = pluralCase._view;
     });
     this._updateView();
   }
@@ -118,10 +105,9 @@ export class NgPlural implements AfterContentInit {
   _updateView(): void {
     this._clearViews();
 
-    var view: SwitchView = this._caseViews.get(this._switchValue);
-    if (!isPresent(view)) view = this._getCategoryView(this._switchValue);
-
-    this._activateView(view);
+    var key = getPluralCategory(
+        this._switchValue, Object.getOwnPropertyNames(this._caseViews), this._localization);
+    this._activateView(this._caseViews[key]);
   }
 
   /** @internal */
@@ -135,22 +121,4 @@ export class NgPlural implements AfterContentInit {
     this._activeView = view;
     this._activeView.create();
   }
-
-  /** @internal */
-  _getCategoryView(value: number): SwitchView {
-    var category: string = this._localization.getPluralCategory(value);
-    var categoryView: SwitchView = this._caseViews.get(category);
-    return isPresent(categoryView) ? categoryView : this._caseViews.get(_CATEGORY_DEFAULT);
-  }
-
-  /** @internal */
-  _isValueView(pluralCase: NgPluralCase): boolean { return pluralCase.value[0] === '='; }
-
-  /** @internal */
-  _formatValue(pluralCase: NgPluralCase): any {
-    return this._isValueView(pluralCase) ? this._stripValue(pluralCase.value) : pluralCase.value;
-  }
-
-  /** @internal */
-  _stripValue(value: string): number { return NumberWrapper.parseInt(value.substring(1), 10); }
 }
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/src/localization.ts b/modules/@angular/common/src/localization.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5f98c744b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/src/localization.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+/**
+ * @experimental
+ */
+export abstract class NgLocalization { abstract getPluralCategory(value: any): string; }
+
+/**
+ * Returns the plural category for a given value.
+ * - "=value" when the case exists,
+ * - the plural category otherwise
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+export function getPluralCategory(
+    value: number, cases: string[], ngLocalization: NgLocalization): string {
+  const nbCase = `=${value}`;
+
+  return cases.indexOf(nbCase) > -1 ? nbCase : ngLocalization.getPluralCategory(value);
+}
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe.ts b/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe.ts
index 385011367b..16fe952115 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe.ts
@@ -7,22 +7,21 @@
  */
 
 import {Pipe, PipeTransform} from '@angular/core';
-import {StringWrapper, isPresent, isStringMap} from '../facade/lang';
+import {StringWrapper, isBlank, isStringMap} from '../facade/lang';
+import {NgLocalization, getPluralCategory} from '../localization';
 import {InvalidPipeArgumentException} from './invalid_pipe_argument_exception';
 
 const _INTERPOLATION_REGEXP: RegExp = /#/g;
 
 /**
- *
  *  Maps a value to a string that pluralizes the value properly.
  *
  *  ## Usage
  *
  *  expression | i18nPlural:mapping
  *
- *  where `expression` is a number and `mapping` is an object that indicates the proper text for
- *  when the `expression` evaluates to 0, 1, or some other number.  You can interpolate the actual
- *  value into the text using the `#` sign.
+ *  where `expression` is a number and `mapping` is an object that mimics the ICU format,
+ *  see http://userguide.icu-project.org/formatparse/messages
  *
  *  ## Example
  *
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ const _INTERPOLATION_REGEXP: RegExp = /#/g;
  *
  *  class MyApp {
  *    messages: any[];
- *    messageMapping: any = {
+ *    messageMapping: {[k:string]: string} = {
  *      '=0': 'No messages.',
  *      '=1': 'One message.',
  *      'other': '# messages.'
@@ -46,17 +45,17 @@ const _INTERPOLATION_REGEXP: RegExp = /#/g;
  */
 @Pipe({name: 'i18nPlural', pure: true})
 export class I18nPluralPipe implements PipeTransform {
+  constructor(private _localization: NgLocalization) {}
+
   transform(value: number, pluralMap: {[count: string]: string}): string {
-    var key: string;
-    var valueStr: string;
+    if (isBlank(value)) return '';
 
     if (!isStringMap(pluralMap)) {
       throw new InvalidPipeArgumentException(I18nPluralPipe, pluralMap);
     }
 
-    key = value === 0 || value === 1 ? `=${value}` : 'other';
-    valueStr = isPresent(value) ? value.toString() : '';
+    const key = getPluralCategory(value, Object.getOwnPropertyNames(pluralMap), this._localization);
 
-    return StringWrapper.replaceAll(pluralMap[key], _INTERPOLATION_REGEXP, valueStr);
+    return StringWrapper.replaceAll(pluralMap[key], _INTERPOLATION_REGEXP, value.toString());
   }
 }
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_select_pipe.ts b/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_select_pipe.ts
index 3f63c9ffbd..048eab0bc5 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_select_pipe.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/src/pipes/i18n_select_pipe.ts
@@ -7,11 +7,9 @@
  */
 
 import {Pipe, PipeTransform} from '@angular/core';
-import {StringMapWrapper} from '../facade/collection';
-import {isStringMap} from '../facade/lang';
+import {isBlank, isStringMap} from '../facade/lang';
 import {InvalidPipeArgumentException} from './invalid_pipe_argument_exception';
 
-
 /**
  *
  *  Generic selector that displays the string that matches the current value.
@@ -46,10 +44,12 @@ import {InvalidPipeArgumentException} from './invalid_pipe_argument_exception';
 @Pipe({name: 'i18nSelect', pure: true})
 export class I18nSelectPipe implements PipeTransform {
   transform(value: string, mapping: {[key: string]: string}): string {
+    if (isBlank(value)) return '';
+
     if (!isStringMap(mapping)) {
       throw new InvalidPipeArgumentException(I18nSelectPipe, mapping);
     }
 
-    return StringMapWrapper.contains(mapping, value) ? mapping[value] : mapping['other'];
+    return mapping.hasOwnProperty(value) ? mapping[value] : '';
   }
 }
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/test/directives/ng_plural_spec.ts b/modules/@angular/common/test/directives/ng_plural_spec.ts
index 1296a1cef8..179400e6b0 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/test/directives/ng_plural_spec.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/test/directives/ng_plural_spec.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {NgPlural, NgPluralCase, NgLocalization} from '@angular/common';
 
 export function main() {
   describe('switch', () => {
-    beforeEachProviders(() => [{provide: NgLocalization, useClass: TestLocalizationMap}]);
+    beforeEachProviders(() => [{provide: NgLocalization, useClass: TestLocalization}]);
 
     it('should display the template according to the exact value',
        inject(
@@ -142,22 +142,21 @@ export function main() {
   });
 }
 
-
 @Injectable()
-export class TestLocalizationMap extends NgLocalization {
+class TestLocalization extends NgLocalization {
   getPluralCategory(value: number): string {
     if (value > 1 && value < 4) {
       return 'few';
-    } else if (value >= 4 && value < 10) {
-      return 'many';
-    } else {
-      return 'other';
     }
+    if (value >= 4 && value < 10) {
+      return 'many';
+    }
+
+    return 'other';
   }
 }
 
-
-@Component({selector: 'test-cmp', directives: [NgPluralCase, NgPlural], template: ''})
+@Component({selector: 'test-cmp', directives: [NgPlural, NgPluralCase], template: ''})
 class TestComponent {
   switchValue: number = null;
 }
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe_spec.ts b/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe_spec.ts
index 53329a92dd..5f0198bc13 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe_spec.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_plural_pipe_spec.ts
@@ -6,21 +6,26 @@
  * found in the LICENSE file at https://angular.io/license
  */
 
-import {I18nPluralPipe} from '@angular/common';
+import {I18nPluralPipe, NgLocalization} from '@angular/common';
 import {PipeResolver} from '@angular/compiler/src/pipe_resolver';
 import {afterEach, beforeEach, ddescribe, describe, expect, iit, it, xit} from '@angular/core/testing/testing_internal';
 
 export function main() {
   describe('I18nPluralPipe', () => {
+    var localization: NgLocalization;
     var pipe: I18nPluralPipe;
-    var mapping = {'=0': 'No messages.', '=1': 'One message.', 'other': 'There are some messages.'};
-    var interpolatedMapping = {
+
+    var mapping = {
       '=0': 'No messages.',
       '=1': 'One message.',
-      'other': 'There are # messages, that is #.'
+      'many': 'Many messages.',
+      'other': 'There are # messages, that is #.',
     };
 
-    beforeEach(() => { pipe = new I18nPluralPipe(); });
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      localization = new TestLocalization();
+      pipe = new I18nPluralPipe(localization);
+    });
 
     it('should be marked as pure',
        () => { expect(new PipeResolver().resolve(I18nPluralPipe).pure).toEqual(true); });
@@ -36,19 +41,19 @@ export function main() {
         expect(val).toEqual('One message.');
       });
 
-      it('should return other text if value is anything other than 0 or 1', () => {
-        var val = pipe.transform(6, mapping);
-        expect(val).toEqual('There are some messages.');
+      it('should return category messages', () => {
+        var val = pipe.transform(4, mapping);
+        expect(val).toEqual('Many messages.');
       });
 
       it('should interpolate the value into the text where indicated', () => {
-        var val = pipe.transform(6, interpolatedMapping);
+        var val = pipe.transform(6, mapping);
         expect(val).toEqual('There are 6 messages, that is 6.');
       });
 
-      it('should use \'other\' if value is undefined', () => {
-        var val = pipe.transform(void(0), interpolatedMapping);
-        expect(val).toEqual('There are  messages, that is .');
+      it('should use "" if value is undefined', () => {
+        var val = pipe.transform(void(0), mapping);
+        expect(val).toEqual('');
       });
 
       it('should not support bad arguments',
@@ -57,3 +62,7 @@ export function main() {
 
   });
 }
+
+class TestLocalization extends NgLocalization {
+  getPluralCategory(value: number): string { return value > 1 && value < 6 ? 'many' : 'other'; }
+}
diff --git a/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_select_pipe_spec.ts b/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_select_pipe_spec.ts
index 046d56e008..bd4874deda 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_select_pipe_spec.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/common/test/pipes/i18n_select_pipe_spec.ts
@@ -31,14 +31,14 @@ export function main() {
         expect(val).toEqual('Invite her.');
       });
 
-      it('should return other text if value is anything other than male or female', () => {
+      it('should return "" if value is anything other than male or female', () => {
         var val = pipe.transform('Anything else', mapping);
-        expect(val).toEqual('Invite them.');
+        expect(val).toEqual('');
       });
 
-      it('should use \'other\' if value is undefined', () => {
+      it('should use "" if value is undefined', () => {
         var val = pipe.transform(void(0), mapping);
-        expect(val).toEqual('Invite them.');
+        expect(val).toEqual('');
       });
 
       it('should not support bad arguments',
diff --git a/modules/@angular/facade/src/lang.ts b/modules/@angular/facade/src/lang.ts
index e5a1fcd9b0..03d288c157 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/facade/src/lang.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/facade/src/lang.ts
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ export function isType(obj: any): boolean {
   return isFunction(obj);
 }
 
-export function isStringMap(obj: any): boolean {
+export function isStringMap(obj: any): obj is Object {
   return typeof obj === 'object' && obj !== null;
 }
 
diff --git a/tools/public_api_guard/public_api_spec.ts b/tools/public_api_guard/public_api_spec.ts
index f6bb5f8384..8e4c4eb722 100644
--- a/tools/public_api_guard/public_api_spec.ts
+++ b/tools/public_api_guard/public_api_spec.ts
@@ -820,6 +820,7 @@ const COMMON = [
   'HashLocationStrategy.pushState(state:any, title:string, path:string, queryParams:string):any',
   'HashLocationStrategy.replaceState(state:any, title:string, path:string, queryParams:string):any',
   'I18nPluralPipe',
+  'I18nPluralPipe.constructor(_localization:NgLocalization)',
   'I18nPluralPipe.transform(value:number, pluralMap:{[count:string]:string}):string',
   'I18nSelectPipe',
   'I18nSelectPipe.transform(value:string, mapping:{[key:string]:string}):string',