Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ embedded wireless modules to provide integrated 3G mobile broadband connectivity for ThinkPad laptops

ORLANDO, March 22 /PRNewswire/ - Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW) today announced that Lenovo has selected Sierra Wireless to provide embedded 3G connectivity in the latest generation of Lenovo ThinkPad professional-grade laptop computers. The embedded Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ MC8355 embedded module offers Lenovo laptop customers with an online connection that roams worldwide and is always just a click away.

Sierra Wireless and Lenovo first collaborated to deliver 3G-embedded enterprise laptops to the market in late 2005. In addition to the modules, Sierra Wireless provides professional services to Lenovo, including integration, testing and certification support.

"Lenovo has a well-deserved reputation for leadership in providing enterprise customers with high-quality fully featured laptops," said Dan Schieler, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Computing for Sierra Wireless. "We are pleased to renew our collaboration with the company in delivering fast, reliable wirelessly connected devices that enable mobile professionals to stay in touch and maintain their productivity from wherever they need to be."

Sierra Wireless will showcase a Lenovo ThinkPad T420 laptop with a Sierra Wireless AirPrime MC8355 embedded module in its booth (1670) at CTIA Wireless, which starts today and runs through March 24 at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Sierra Wireless AirPrime MC8355 and MC8305 embedded wireless modules

The AirPrime™ MC8355 and its companion, the AirPrime MC8305, are based on the Gobi3000™ reference design by Qualcomm. The AirPrime MC8305 is a single-mode HSPA module, and the AirPrime MC8355 is a dual-mode version, offering support for both HSPA and CDMA networks. Both modules offer download speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps and uploads of up to 5.76 Mbps. Ideal for integration into laptops or tablets, both modules allow device manufacturers to take advantage of high speed mobile networks, embedded GPS capabilities and a Gobi application programming interface (API), which allows enterprise customers to continue to leverage custom applications built for previous versions of Gobi across the new platforms. In addition, Sierra Wireless Watcher connection manager is made available to AirPrime mobile computing customers, providing an intuitive user interface to manage the wireless connection and leverage features like the GPS connection for location-based information.

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

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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 "Watcher" are trademarks of Sierra Wireless. 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.

SOURCE Sierra Wireless, Inc.