Sprint PCS and BlueKite.com Join WirelessReady -TM- Alliance [Business Wire]
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VANCOUVER, B.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via NewsEdge Corporation -- Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ:SWIR)(TSE:SW.)
Sierra Wireless Welcomes Two New Valuable Solution Partners to Assist in Creating Compelling End-to-End Mobile, Wireless Data Solutions
Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ:SWIR)(TSE:SW.) today announced the addition of Sprint PCS, the fastest growing all-digital, single-frequency voice and data wireless carrier in the United States, and BlueKite.com, two of its existing mobile solution partners, to the WirelessReady(TM) Alliance.
Founded in 1998 by Sierra Wireless, the alliance continues to grow in prominence in the wireless space as key industry players like Sprint PCS and BlueKite join with other alliance members to deliver superior wireless data solutions to the growing mobile computing market.
The alliance is composed of wireless device manufacturers, software application vendors, and wireless and value-added enterprise service providers, all of whom provide products or services that help to enable the delivery of wireless data. WirelessReady(TM) Alliance members work together to bring to market complete and compelling wireless data solutions, with the overall goal of increasing the rate of mobile computing adoption.
Sierra Wireless, Sprint PCS and BlueKite have combined their expertise to deliver a complete wireless bundle that allows mobile access to the Internet and web-based email. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Modem is manufactured by Sierra Wireless and sold and service-enabled through Sprint PCS via its nationwide all-CDMA network as part of the Wireless Web for Business suite of solutions. Bundled with Sierra Wireless' application software and BlueKite's mobile Internet software platform, the Sprint PCS Wireless Web Modem provides customers with the freedom and convenience to wirelessly access the Internet at accelerated speeds in the mobile environment by utilizing bandwidth optimization.
"As industry innovators, Sprint PCS and BlueKite are valuable additions to the WirelessReady(TM) Alliance," said Andrew Harries, senior vice president, corporate development for Sierra Wireless. "The entire membership will benefit from the expertise of these two companies as we create together new and innovative solutions for the mobile data market."
"Sprint PCS is pleased to work with Sierra Wireless and BlueKite and be involved with other key players in the wireless space in developing new and exciting products that create a faster, more productive experience for business customers that want to wirelessly access the Internet and their corporate information," said Jay Highley, vice president, business marketing for Sprint PCS. "The WirelessReady(TM) Alliance offers unique opportunities for wireless companies to engage in joint marketing efforts, collaborative solution development, and low-risk investigation of potential strategic partnerships. Ultimately, Sprint PCS is better positioned to deliver a complete solution for enterprise customers in search of a wireless data strategy that will increase their productivity, reduce costs and enhance customer service."
"With a software platform that enables wireless Web browsing at speeds equivalent to or better than 56 kbps dial-up, while also enhancing the efficiency of packet-switched networks by an average of eight times, BlueKite is helping service providers like Sprint PCS efficiently utilize highly valuable and limited spectrum in the delivery of their mobile Internet services," said David R. Cox, president and CEO of BlueKite. "Membership in the WRA will enable BlueKite to better serve our customers as they deploy solutions that deliver rich content to mobile computing devices."
About Sprint PCS
Sprint is a world-class global telecommunications company-at the forefront of integrating wireline and wireless communications services. Sprint is a large carrier of Internet traffic and a leader in broadband communications. Sprint built and operates the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and provides a portfolio of advanced data communications services. Sprint operates the largest 100-percent digital, 100-percent nationwide PCS network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint has $23 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 23 million customers. For more information, please visit www.sprintpcs.com.
About BlueKite.com
Established in 1997, BlueKite is a leading Internet software company providing a platform that enables the efficient delivery of rich content to mobile computing devices. Premiere service providers such as BT Cellnet, Connect Austria, Sprint PCS, Swisscom and Telecel (owned by Vodafone Group) have built mobile Internet services upon BlueKite's technology. Headquartered in San Francisco, BlueKite has an engineering and design center in southern California and European operations in the UK, France, Denmark and the Netherlands.
For more information, please visit www.bluekite.com, or email info@bluekite.com. Alternatively, please call +44 207 907 9790 in Europe or (415) 369-3700 in the US.
About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless data communications products. Sierra Wireless delivers wireless PC Cards for portable computers, wireless adapters for PDA's, OEM modules for embedded applications and rugged vehicle-mounted wireless systems. Sierra Wireless is the founding member of the WirelessReady(TM) Alliance, an alliance of industry-leading hardware, software and service companies committed to the delivery of complete and compelling wireless data solutions. For more information on Sierra Wireless, visit its Web site at www.sierrawireless.com
"AirCard" and "WirelessReady" are trademarks of Sierra Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks or service marks in this news release are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
About WirelessReady (TM) Alliance
Sierra Wireless founded the WirelessReady(TM) Alliance in December 1998 with a mission to accelerate the rate of mobile computing adoption through the delivery of complete and compelling wireless data solutions. Each member of the WirelessReady(TM) Alliance brings unique knowledge of their markets as well as a credible and established reputation for delivery of best-in-class products. WirelessReady(TM) Alliance members also receive wireless-related marketing, sales, technology and product support from the Alliance's knowledge base. WirelessReady(TM) Alliance administration is the responsibility of Sierra Wireless. The WRA has its own Website that includes comprehensive wireless data information and complete solutions offered by some of its members. The site also features, among other things, 10 steps to making your Website wireless ready, and links to wireless news. Visit the site at www.wirelessready.org.
For more information on the WirelessReady(TM) Alliance, please contact the program manager, Leslie Cannon, at (604) 233-6302 or via email at lcannon@sierrawireless.com.
BlueKite is a registered trademark of BlueKite.com, Inc. "WirelessReady" and "AirCard" are trademarks of Sierra Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks or service marks in this news release are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
<<Business Wire, 04-19-01, 06:31 Eastern>>
CONTACT: Sierra Wireless Inc. | Kathleen Gallagher, 604/233-6309 | E-mail: kathleen@sierrawireless.com | Website: www.sierrawireless.com | or | High Road Communications | Hugh Scholey, 416/368-8348 | E-mail: hscholey@highroad.com | or | Sprint PCS | Suzanne Lammers, 913/762-7039 | E-mail: slamme01@sprintspectrum.com | or | BlueKite.com | Brendan Farnell, 415/369-3710 | E-mail: bfarnell@bluekite.com |
