LANCOM selects Sierra Wireless to provide LTE and HSPA+ connectivity for business routers

New 4G cellular broadband routers for enterprise customers using Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ intelligent embedded modules will be on display at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW) today announced that LANCOM, a leading German manufacturer of enterprise network solutions, has selected Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ intelligent embedded modules to provide wireless network connectivity for its new line of 4G cellular broadband VPN routers. LANCOM can now offer its large enterprise, midsize business, and public sector customers several new router options to take advantage of 4G wireless broadband connectivity.

The LANCOM 1681-4G, using the AirPrime MC7710 embedded module, will support the latest LTE networks and speeds of up to 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload. The LANCOM 1780EW-3G uses the AirPrime MC8705 to connect with the fastest HSPA+ networks in the world, delivering download speeds up to 21 Mbps. The LANCOM OAP-321-3G, using the AirPrime MC8705 embedded module, combines Internet access via cellular networks with high-speed 802.11n wireless LAN and comes in a rugged IP-67 outdoor housing.

The routers will provide LANCOM's enterprise customers with the robust, reliable cellular broadband connectivity their businesses demand. Customers can use the solutions as a backup to their wired networks or, thanks to the emergence of 4G connection speeds comparable to cable and ADSL, in place of wired connectivity.

All products will premiere at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona (LANCOM, Hall 1, 1B01 - German Pavilion).

Mastering complex 4G engineering

The mobile industry is buzzing about the potential of 4G technologies, and LTE in particular, to dramatically boost connection speeds, lower latency, and lower cost per bit. Making these technologies work in real-world applications, however, remains a challenge. Given the novelty of HSPA+ and LTE technologies, networks capable of supporting these high-speed connections are still unavailable in many areas. To allow customers to take advantage of the fastest available networks with their router products, LANCOM needs multi-mode router solutions that support both 3G and 4G networks.

LANCOM also must address the reality that each operator implements LTE differently, using different frequency bands for both the 4G network and 3G fallback, each of which requires specific antenna configurations. Developing a solution that incorporates the most possible technology combinations (a necessity if the solution will be applicable for multiple regions and operators), and does so with the minimum hardware possible, is an immensely challenging engineering problem. If LANCOM had to use different modules from multiple vendors to accomplish this, for example, this would radically increase the complexity of the design and engineering process, and add significant costs and time to bring the products to market.

Sierra Wireless LTE and HSPA+ modules address all of these complexities and provide a comprehensive, global communications solution. Both the AirPrime MC7710 and MC8801 embedded modules offer multi-mode connectivity and software, providing support for all common 2G, 3G and 4G networks across multiple frequency bands. The modules also include heat, power and high speed interface design considerations to function optimally across multiple network technologies.

"Sierra Wireless eliminates much of the uncertainty of operating in the evolving 4G world," says Christian Schallenberg, Executive Vice President Product Marketing at LANCOM. "With these embedded modules, we can provide our customers with robust, business-class broadband connectivity that delivers the full advantages of LTE and other 4G technologies. At the same time, the modules' standard form factor and multi-mode support mean we can develop our router solutions once and market them for virtually any network, anywhere in the world."

Accelerating time to market

By choosing AirPrime embedded modules, LANCOM benefits from Sierra Wireless' extensive expertise in high-speed cellular broadband technology. Sierra Wireless professional services teams have assisted LANCOM through the design, engineering and certification process for the new routers, drawing on years of experience collaborating with diverse PC and networking manufacturers, as well as leading network operators worldwide. For example, Sierra Wireless has been working closely with Verizon Wireless through the carrier's LTE Innovation Center lab, developing the latest generation of 4G technologies to take advantage of LTE networks. The AirPrime embedded modules will be pre-certified for the various 3G and 4G network environments in which they will operate.

"Adding 4G connectivity to LANCOM's lineup of routers allows the company to provide a robust, high-bandwidth solution to enterprise customers for primary or backup connectivity," said Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, M2M Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless. "For organizations that depend on that link for business continuity, 4G offers a compelling option, and we're pleased to support LANCOM in delivering that option to its customers."

For more information about Sierra Wireless embedded modules, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/airprime. To contact the Sierra Wireless Sales Desk, call +1 (604) 232-1488 or email [email protected].

About LANCOM

LANCOM Systems GmbH is the leading German manufacturer of reliable, innovative network solutions for large enterprises and SMEs, public authorities and institutions. The focus is on remote access and site connectivity based on virtual private networks (VPN) and on wireless networking (WLAN). LANCOM Systems GmbH is headquartered in Würselen near Aachen and has sales offices in Munich, Barcelona and Amsterdam. The company's founder and Managing Director is Ralf Koenzen.

About Sierra Wireless

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSX: SW) offers industry-leading mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular networks. Wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, enterprises and government organizations around the world depend on us for reliable wireless technology. We offer 2G, 3G and 4G wireless modems, routers and gateways as well as a comprehensive suite of software, tools, and services that ensure our customers can successfully bring wireless applications to market.  For more information about Sierra Wireless, visit www.sierrawireless.com. 

"AirPrime" and "Open AT" are trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors:

To view and download images of Sierra Wireless products, please visit
http://www.sierrawireless.com/newsroom/productimages.aspx.

To view and download images of LANCOM Systems products, please visit
http://press.lancom.eu

To meet LANCOM in Barcelona, please make an appointment with.

Eckhart Traber
PR Manager
LANCOM Systems GmbH
Mobile: +49 172 9360 127
[email protected]
www.lancom.eu

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.

SOURCE Sierra Wireless, Inc.