Telstra launches Sierra Wireless HSPA products in Australia
Sierra Wireless AirCard(R) 880U USB modem and AirCard 880E ExpressCard now available for use with Telstra's Next G(TM) HSPA network
VANCOUVER and SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 25 -- Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ:SWIR)(NASDAQ:-)(NASDAQ:TSX:)(NASDAQ:SW) and Telstra today announced that the Sierra Wireless AirCard(R) 880U USB modem and the AirCard 880E ExpressCard are now commercially available in Australia to provide high-speed mobile access to Telstra's Next G(TM) HSPA network.
With the Sierra Wireless AirCard 880U USB modem and AirCard 880E ExpressCard operating on Telstra's Next G HSPA network, customers will be able to send email attachments, upload information, and transmit data at peak network speeds up to 1.9 megabits per second (Mbps) - significantly faster than was possible with earlier network technologies. This improvement in uplink speed, combined with peak network downlink speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps, allows for new applications such as web conferencing and live video, and significantly improves the user experience for customers working over a virtual private network.
Telstra will market the Sierra Wireless AirCard 880E as the Telstra Turbo 7 Series Express Card and BigPond Wireless Broadband 7.2 Mobile Card. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 880U will be marketed as the Telstra Turbo 7 Series Modem and BigPond Wireless Broadband USB Mobile Card.
Telstra's Next G(TM) network upgrade will also benefit customers operating an AirCard 875 PC card, which can be upgraded to take advantage of the increased downlink speed with a simple firmware update.
"The move to HSPA technology offers great benefits for mobile data customers, who will find that the significantly improved upload speed available makes sending large email attachments, for example, to be much faster," said Dan Schieler, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales for Sierra Wireless. "Telstra has shown extraordinary market leadership in quickly transitioning to new wireless technology, and we are pleased to support its deployment of HSPA and to continue to improve the mobile broadband experience for customers in Australia."
Holly Kramer, Group Managing Director, Telstra Product Management said, "Telstra is pleased to be partnering with Sierra Wireless to launch the first 7.2 data cards in the Australian market, bringing the benefits of the fastest national mobile broadband network to 98.8 percent of the Australian population."
The AirCard 880U USB modem and the AirCard 880E ExpressCard are fully compatible with HSPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, and GSM network technologies on all frequencies currently used worldwide. To ensure there is always enough power support to handle peak or fringe area transmission requirements without compromising performance, the AirCard 880U USB modem includes an internal battery that supplements the power from the USB port when extra power is required.
For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirCard 880U USB modem, please visit www.sierrawireless.com/product/AC880U_881U.aspx. For more information about the AirCard 880E ExpressCard, please see www.sierrawireless.com/product/AC880E_AC881E.aspx. To contact the Sierra Wireless Sales Desk, call +1 (604) 232-1488 or e-mail sales@sierrawireless.com.
About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless modems and software connect people all over the world with mobile broadband networks that keep them in touch, informed, and productive from wherever they need to be. The Company offers a diverse product portfolio addressing enterprise, consumer, original equipment manufacturer, machine-to-machine, and specialized vertical industry markets, and provides professional services to customers requiring expertise in wireless design, integration, and carrier certification. With 2006 revenues of $221 million, Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ:SWIR)(NASDAQ:-)(NASDAQ:TSX:)(NASDAQ:SW) is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada with additional offices in Carlsbad and Hayward, California; London; and Hong Kong. For more information about Sierra Wireless, visit www.sierrawireless.com.
"AirCard" is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Sharlene Myers, Sierra Wireless, Phone: (604) 232-1445, Email: smyers@sierrawireless.com
