Sierra Wireless extends presence into the Middle East with EDGE and CDMA product line availability

From: Promax Middle East
Published: Tue May 24 2005


Vancouver, Canada and Dubai, United Arab Emirates – April 26, 2005 – Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSX: SW), a leader in developing and marketing wireless data products, today announced an agreement with Brightpoint Middle East to distribute the AirCard® 775, the AirCard 555, and the AirCard 580 wireless wide area network cards, as well as the MP 775 GPS and MP 555 GPS rugged wireless modems to select markets in the Middle East. This marks Sierra Wireless’ official launch in the region – the company has recently established a regional office in Dubai.

Brightpoint Middle East is based in Dubai and has become a leading provider of value-added logistics, specialized distribution, and order fulfillment services to network operators, vendors, and second- and third-tier handset manufacturers. Under the terms of the agreement, Brightpoint Middle East will handle third party logistics and distribution of the Sierra Wireless products to resellers in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

"In recent years, there has been tremendous growth in wireless technology in the Middle East, and Dubai has evolved into a regional technology hub," said Derek Evans, Vice President and Managing Director, EMEA for Sierra Wireless. "Sierra Wireless is committed to the Middle East and North African region and we look forward to working with strong local partners like Brightpoint Middle East to introduce Sierra Wireless products to this growing new market."

"As a global leader in the wireless industry, Sierra Wireless has an established reputation for robust, reliable, wireless data products," said Brad Taylor, Managing Director for Brightpoint Middle East. "We believe the quality of Sierra Wireless’ product line will be appreciated by our customers, and we are pleased to join the company in introducing it to these new markets."

AirCard 775
With quad-band operation that enables worldwide roaming, the AirCard 775 provides anywhere-access to EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) and GSM/GPRS networks. About the size of a credit card, the AirCard 775 allows for wireless access to the Internet and corporate networks at speeds up to three times faster than on GPRS networks. Ideal for mobile professionals who are heavy data users, the AirCard 775 allows users to transfer data at speeds averaging between 100 and 130 kbps, with bursts up to 200 kbps.

AirCard 580
The AirCard 580 is designed for access to CDMA 1xEV-DO networks and offers reliable high-speed connectivity with average user speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps) and peak data speeds of up to 2.4 Megabits per second (Mbps), one of the fastest wireless data transmission speeds available today. The AirCard 580 wireless wide area network card was built for mobile users that require instant access to mission-critical enterprise applications such as sales force automation and customer relationship management tools, as well as streaming audio, video and the Internet. The product enables mobile professionals to extend their corporate experience outside the office with "always on" access in a Type II PC Card format, improving productivity and giving enterprise users a vital competitive advantage while traveling or meeting with customers.

AirCard 555
The AirCard 555 is a high-speed wireless wide area network (WWAN) card offering both wireless data and voice functionality. When inserted into a PC card slot, the AirCard 555 allows mobile professionals the flexibility to work outside the office while using a notebook computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or other handheld device to receive reliable, high-speed, wireless access to email, corporate applications, and the Internet.

MP 775 GPS
The MP 775 GPS is designed for use in public safety, field service, and transportation industries and includes an integrated GPS module for vehicle tracking. Built for demanding environments and worldwide connectivity, the quad-band MP 775 GPS operates in extreme temperatures (-40C to +75C) and meets U.S. Military and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1455 specifications for vibration, shock, drop, splash, and humidity.


MP 555 GPS
Rugged and feature-rich, the MP 555 GPS operates in extreme temperatures and meets US Military and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) J1455 specifications for vibration, shock, drop, splash and humidity. The product is built for demanding environments and worldwide connectivity; ideal for industries like police, fire, rescue, and utility field service.

For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirCard 775 and MP 775 GPS products please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com.

Note to editors:
To view and download images of Sierra Wireless products, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/news/photos.asp.

About Brightpoint Middle East
Formed in 1997, Brightpoint Middle East, now a subsidiary of Persequor (www.persequor.com), has grown tremendously to become a leading provider of value-added logistics, specialised distribution and order fulfilment services to network operators, vendors and 2nd/3rd tier handset or high tech device manufacturers, in terms of price, time, reliability and quality of service. More information can be found on their website www.brightpointme.com.

About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless is a leader in delivering highly differentiated wireless solutions that enable our customers to improve their productivity and lifestyle. Sierra Wireless develops and markets the AirCard, the industry-leading wireless PC card line for portable computers; embedded modules for OEM wireless applications; the MP line of rugged vehicle-mounted connectivity solutions; and Voq Professional Phone, a line of mobile phones with easy-to-use, secure software solutions for mobile professionals. For more information about Sierra Wireless please visit www.sierrawireless.com.

"AirCard" is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless. "Voq Professional Phone" is a trademark of Sierra Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.


Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, plans and timing for the introduction or enhancement of our services and products, statements about future market conditions, supply conditions, channel and end customer demand conditions, revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, profits, and other expectations, intentions, and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. Our expectations regarding future revenues and earnings depend in part upon our ability to successfully develop, manufacture, and supply products that we do not produce today and that meet defined specifications. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "expect", "believe", and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and changes in the wireless data communications market. In light of the many risks and uncertainties surrounding the wireless data communications market, you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized.
Company: Promax Middle East
Contact Name: Rasha El-Ghoussaini
Contact Email: rasha@promax.ae
Contact Phone: 00971 50 2571020