Sierra Wireless and Sprint PCS Deliver New Wireless
Internet Solution; First CDMA PC Card Offers
Connectivity for Mobile Workforce
Wednesday August 23, 8:48 am Eastern Time
Press Release
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--Sierra Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSE:
SW) and Sprint PCS (NYSE: PCS - news) announced today the new Sprint PCS Wireless Web Modem, the world's first true
type II Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) PC Card wireless modem. Sprint PCS has chosen Sierra Wireless' patented
AirCard 510 as a PC Card connection solution option to provide wireless access to the Internet and corporate network
applications. The new device is part of the Sprint PCS Wireless Web for Business - a portfolio of products and services aimed
at providing solutions that allow enterprise customers to wirelessly extend their corporate applications to the mobile workforce.
``For the enterprise mobile user, the AirCard 510 offers clear advantages in simplicity, convenience and performance for
corporate wireless connectivity. Incorporating the CDMA-based card as a solution for Sprint PCS customers broadens our
product line and delivers more wireless enterprise solutions to the mobile workforce,'' said Andrew Harries, Senior Vice
President of Corporate Development for Sierra Wireless Inc. ``We are very pleased to partner with Sprint PCS to deliver the
first CDMA PC Card wireless modem solution and look forward to being an integral part of the new Sprint PCS Wireless
Web for Business.''
The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Modem offers simplicity, mobility and freedom to the demanding corporate users. It connects a
user's laptop directly to the Internet, Intranet, corporate e-mail or a host of other corporate applications - without using a
wireless phone or landline. The patented PC Card wireless modem, the AirCard 510, which uses QUALCOMM
Incorporated's (NASDAQ: QCOM - news) sixth-generation MSM3000(tm) Mobile Station Modem (MSM(tm)) chipset and
system software, fits into a standard type II slot on a laptop running Microsoft Windows and has a unique, internally stored
antenna. The card can remain in the laptop when it is not being used for wireless connection services, providing hassle-free
wireless access to corporate users. Once connected to the Sprint PCS nationwide network, mobile users can conduct business
as if they were at the office - having access to mission critical corporate applications.
``The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Modem by Sierra Wireless is the ideal solution for heavy users of wireless data. It offers a
simple, flexible option for business users to wirelessly connect to corporate information in the mobile environment virtually
anywhere, anytime on the Sprint PCS nationwide network,'' said Chuck Levine, chief sales and marketing officer for Sprint
PCS. ``This innovative wireless connection device and our relationship with companies like Sierra Wireless complement our
growing suite of wireless voice and data business solutions to enhance productivity, cut costs and increase the speed of doing
business in the mobile environment.''
The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Modem will be available nationwide through Sprint PCS business sales representatives and
online at www.sprintpcs.com in October 2000.
``Working closely with partners such as Sierra Wireless and Sprint PCS, QUALCOMM is helping drive the success of
CDMA data through consistent on-time delivery of chipsets and system software,'' said Johan Lodenius, senior vice president
of marketing and product management for QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. ``Sierra Wireless illustrates its market
leadership in CDMA-based wireless products with the new AirCard 510, and we look forward to a continued working
relationship with them in bringing wireless Internet data solutions to emerging markets.''
About Sprint PCS
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless 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 PCS has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 270 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at www.sprintpcs.com. Sprint PCS is a wholly owned tracking
group of Sprint Corporation trading on the NYSE under the symbol ``PCS.''
Sprint is a global communications company at the forefront in integrating long distance, local and wireless communications
services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' only nationwide
all-digital, fiber optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $17 billion in annual
revenues and serves more than 20 million businesses and residential customers.
About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless data communications hardware and software products. Sierra Wireless
delivers wireless PC Cards for portable computers, rugged vehicle-mounted wireless modems and OEM modules for
embedded applications. 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.
About QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies
QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies (QCT), a division of QUALCOMM Incorporated, is the leading developer and supplier
of CDMA chipsets, hardware and software solutions, and tools, with more than 115 million MSM chips shipped worldwide.
QCT offers wireless position location technology by SnapTrack, a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM, and supplies
chipsets to the world's leading CDMA handset and infrastructure manufacturers including: Acer Peripherals, Inc., ALPS
ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.; FUJITSU LIMITED; Hitachi, Ltd.; Hyundai Electronics
Industries Co., Ltd.; KYOCERA CORPORATION; LG Information and Communications, Ltd.; Samsung Electronics Ltd.;
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.; and Toshiba Corporation, among others.
QUALCOMM is a registered trademark, and MSM and MSM3000 are trademarks of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
