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 sales@sierrawireless.com.
* 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.