Sierra Wireless introduces HSUPA product line

Six new products, including four adapter cards and two embedded modules, are designed to take advantage of upcoming improvements in uplink speeds and provide customers with a comprehensive portfolio for wireless data access

Sierra Wireless today announced that it is expanding its product portfolio with the introduction of new adapters and embedded modules for HSUPA networks that will vastly improve the speed at which users can work while mobile. With Sierra Wireless AirCard® modems and embedded modules operating on an HSUPA network, mobile data customers will be able to send email attachments, upload information, and transmit data from portable devices at speeds more than five times faster than currently available, up to a theoretical maximum speed of 2 megabits per second (Mbps). Downlink speeds are also improved over currently available models, with a theoretical maximum download speed of 7.2 Mbps.

This improvement in uplink speed creates opportunities for a variety of new applications involving client-generated content, such as web conferencing or video surveillance, and for customers accessing and modifying corporate information through a virtual private network, the user experience is expected to significantly improve.

"The migration to HSUPA technology and its improvements, particularly to uplink speeds, will enable our network operator and OEM customers to offer a far more seamless experience to mobile data users," said Trent Punnett, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development for Sierra Wireless. "Sierra Wireless is committed to providing a full range of products for HSUPA networks - reliable, high-quality AirCard and embedded module products that will enable wireless data customers to take advantage of the improved technology as soon as the networks are upgraded."

Sierra Wireless's newly unveiled HSUPA-capable product line includes two AirCard PC cards, called the AirCard 880 and the AirCard 881; two corresponding AirCard ExpressCard modems, called the AirCard 880E and the AirCard 881E; as well as the MC8780 and the MC8781 PCI Express Mini Card embedded modules. All offer tri-band UMTS/HSPA and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE network access for roaming on high-speed networks worldwide. The AirCard 880, AirCard 880E, and MC8780 are optimized for better fringe performance in Europe and Asia, while the AirCard 881, AirCard 881E and MC8781 are optimized for better fringe performance on North American networks - Sierra Wireless.