PR releases

Nokia and Sierra Wireless cooperate to test and market HSDPA products

February 1, 2005 - Nokia and Sierra Wireless today announced their cooperation to develop and promote an end-to-end High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) WCDMA (UMTS) solution. Under the terms of the agreement, Nokia’s Networks business group and Sierra Wireless will work together to conduct early technical and market trials for their respective HSDPA products - the Sierra Wireless AirCard® 850 and AirCard 860 wireless wide area network cards, Nokia’s HSDPA infrastructure equipment, and related software - with the purpose of jointly marketing the HSDPA solution to key global network operator customers.

LEADERS IN WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY COOPERATE TO OFFER OPERATORS STREAMLINED END-TO-END HSDPA SOLUTION

“HSDPA products offer significant speed and efficiency benefits to both network operators and end-users, making it a logical choice for Sierra Wireless as we expand our product line into new wireless technologies,” said Jason Cohenour, Chief Operating Officer for Sierra Wireless. “We are pleased to work with Nokia to provide network operators with a fully tested, end-to-end HSDPA solution, so they can offer the benefits of HSDPA technology to their customers.”

“We are very happy to cooperate with Sierra Wireless in our HSDPA development program as they have an established reputation for producing reliable, high-quality wireless data access devices,” said Giuseppe Donagemma, Vice President, Radio Networks, Nokia. “The combination of Nokia’s HSDPA Radio Access Network and Sierra Wireless AirCard wireless network cards offers network operators a package they can roll out seamlessly, and we are pleased to work with Sierra Wireless to provide this alternative to our operator customers worldwide.”

HSDPA is an upgrade to WCDMA (UMTS) systems that offers end users significantly faster download speeds - up to 1.8 Mbps in the first phase, versus 384 kbps on standard WCDMA systems.  Operators upgrading their networks with an HSDPA solution can take advantage of improved data rates and throughput, enhancing the efficiency of the network to support a higher number of users at a lower cost per user. Network operator customers with Nokia’s WCDMA solutions will be able to implement HSDPA with simple upgrades to their current RAN platforms.

The AirCard 850 and AirCard 860 wireless wide area network cards are the latest additions to Sierra Wireless’ award-winning AirCard product line. The AirCard 850 utilises the 2100 MHz WCDMA frequency band and is targeted primarily for use in Europe; while the AirCard 860 operates on the 850 and 1900 MHz WCDMA frequency bands and is designed for North American users. Both cards will also be compatible with EDGE and GSM/GPRS networks on all four GSM frequency bands (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz), for worldwide use in areas where a WCDMA (UMTS) network is not available. The AirCard 850 and AirCard 860 wireless network cards are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2005.

Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. http://www.nokia.com

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, a line of mobile phones with easy-to-use, secure software solutions for mobile professionals. For more information about Sierra Wireless please visit http://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.