Sierra Wireless USB modem now available on Telstra 4G

With typical download speeds up to 40 Mbps, the Telstra USB 4G provides on-the-go access to
multiple bandwidth-heavy tasks without compromise

VANCOUVER AND SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW) and Telstra today announced that the Telstra USB 4G mobile broadband modem (also known as the Sierra Wireless AirCard® 320U) is now available to Telstra and BigPond customers, providing laptop users with access to the newly launched Telstra 4G LTE network.  Rivaling wired broadband speeds, Telstra 4G allows customers to do more things simultaneously, like viewing online photos and checking email while downloading a favorite TV show.  Business customers can take the network with them, multitasking on-the-go and quickly accessing shared folders and applications on a virtual private network.

Telstra CEO David Thodey said Australians could now access one of the world's most advanced mobile networks delivering some of the fastest mobile download and upload speeds available anywhere.

"Today marks a new high-speed chapter in Australian mobile telecommunications. Telstra's 4G network delivers mobile speeds scarcely imagined a decade ago, making it easier for people to connect with the things they need and love when on the move," Mr. Thodey said.

"The superfast speeds mean consumers can download songs faster, get TV shows in minutes and do more things simultaneously. This is just the beginning. Telstra 4G will allow our mobile devices to perform even more advanced tasks and open the door to a host of innovative high-speed services that have yet to be conceived."

Telstra 4G is available in the central business districts of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra. 4G is also available from launch in more than 30 metropolitan and regional centres. Using the Telstra USB 4G mobile broadband modem, customers in 4G coverage areas can enjoy typical download speeds ranging from 2Mbps to 40Mbps* - up to ten times faster than 3G speeds currently claimed by other Australian telecommunications companies. Customers can also experience typical upload speeds of 1Mbps to 10Mbps - three times faster than previous generations of mobile broadband in Australia. These are some of the fastest mobile download and upload speeds available anywhere.

As well as supporting faster mobile speeds, Telstra 4G provides a more responsive internet connection. Network latency (the time it takes for data to travel from a PC to the internet and back) is around half that experienced on current 3G networks meaning real-time applications like video conferencing, internet gaming and cloud-hosted streaming services work better with less buffering and fewer interruptions.

"The new Telstra USB 4G and the Telstra 4G network provide Australians with the most advanced wireless technology currently available anywhere in the world," said Jason Cohenour, CEO for Sierra Wireless. "We are very pleased to continue our longstanding collaboration with Telstra to launch the new Telstra USB 4G in Australia."

The Telstra USB 4G features a thin, matchbook-style design that optimizes the dual-antenna placement for best performance, while including user-friendly details like an articulating and pivoting hinge that works with the widest possible array of laptop USB ports. Sierra Wireless also offers an external antenna for the device, which can improve reception in areas with lower signal strength.

Setup for the Telstra USB 4G is simple, with built-in support for both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS operating systems. Supporting software automatically installs directly from the device, meaning users can be up and running within minutes.

The BigPond USB 4G can be purchased by consumer customers for $0 (after rebate) on a range of new 24 month plans - including on a $49.95 per month plan with 4GB of data included each month over 24 months (min cost $1,198.80).

The Telstra USB 4G can be purchased by business customers on a range of plans including for $0 upfront on the $39 Telstra Mobile Broadband Standard Plan over 24 months (minimum total cost $936) with 4GB included data.

For more information on Telstra 4G visit www.telstra.com/4gfun. Business customers can visit www.Telstra.com/business/4G.

For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirCard 320U USB modem, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/en/productsandservices/AirCard/USBModems/AirCard_320U.aspx. To contact the Sierra Wireless Sales Desk, call +1 (604) 232-1488 or email [email protected].

* Speeds vary due to factors such as distance from base station, local conditions, user numbers, hardware and software configuration.

Note to editors: 

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

About Telstra

Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, with one of the best known brands in the country. Telstra offers a full range of services and competes in all telecommunications markets throughout Australia, providing more than 8.3 million Australian fixed line and 12.2 million mobile services.

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.

"AirCard" is a registered trademark 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.