Sierra Wireless brings fast 3G connections to rugged wireless modem product line

May 17, 2006

New MP 595 and MP 875 modems will provide connectivity to new, faster 3G wireless networks in a tried-and-true rugged form factor for harsh work environments

Vancouver, British Columbia - Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSX: SW) today introduced the latest additions to its rugged mobile product line for wireless wide area networks, the MP 595 GPS and the MP 875 GPS rugged wireless modems for 3G networks. The MP 595 is designed for EV-DO Revision A networks, which are expected to roll out starting later this year, and is also fully compatible with current EV-DO Release 0 and CDMA 1X networks. The MP 875 is designed to operate on HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS networks worldwide. Commercial shipments of the MP 595 are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with MP 875 shipments to follow in the first quarter of 2007.

“We value the customers who have been loyal to our MP products for many years, and we have put a lot of thought into how we can improve our products to better serve them,” said Trent Punnett, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development for Sierra Wireless. “Not only will our next generation of MP products continue to provide the vital communications link our customers depend on, but the increased speed and functionality offered by the MP 595 and the MP 875 will enable faster response times, access to more information, and the potential for new applications.”

First launched in 1995, the Sierra Wireless MP product line is one of the company’s most established, providing a vital wireless communications link for thousands of customers in North America. Designed for use in the public safety, field service, and transportation industries, Sierra Wireless MP products are vehicle-mounted rugged wireless modems that operate in extreme temperatures (-40C to +75C) and meet U.S. Military and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1455 specifications for vibration, shock, drop, rain, splash, sand, dust, humidity, and salt fog. Workers with MP-equipped vehicles are able to maintain open, consistent data communications with headquarters and dispatchers, increasing both personal safety and productivity. The MP 595 and MP 875 support serial, USB, and Ethernet host connections, offering customers a variety of installation and configuration choices, as well as compatibility with legacy systems.

Vehicles equipped with MP modems can be tracked, using the integrated 12-channel GPS (global positioning system) module. Four digital and four analog input/output ports allow dispatchers to monitor additional information such as speed and airbag status, providing additional security for employees and company assets.

The MP 595 offers connectivity to EV-DO Revision A networks. EV-DO Revision A is an upgrade to current EV-DO networks that supports faster data rates and increased system capacity, with peaks of up to 3.1 Mbps on the downlink and up to 1.8 Mbps on the uplink. The faster data rates, particularly on the uplink, will improve the user experience for those who need to send large files such as photos or video over their wireless connection. The dual-band (850/1900 MHz) MP 595 is also fully compatible with currently deployed EV-DO Release 0 networks, as well as CDMA 1X networks, for use in areas where an EV-DO Revision A network is not yet available.

The MP 875 is designed for use on HSDPA networks worldwide, offering connectivity in all three UMTS frequency bands (850/1900/2100 MHz) currently used, and supporting peak data speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps. For use in areas where an HSDPA or UMTS network is not yet available, the MP 875 is also fully compatible with EDGE and GPRS in all four frequency bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) used worldwide.

With MP Modem Manager software, available at no additional charge from Sierra Wireless, system administrators can control settings and upgrade firmware from a central location without taking units out of the field, avoiding costly downtime. In addition, both products carry a three-year platinum warranty with technical support.

For more information about Sierra Wireless MP products, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/mobile.aspx, or contact the Sierra Wireless Sales Desk by calling 604-232-1488 or e-mailing sales@sierrawireless.com.

Note to editors:
To view and download images of Sierra Wireless products, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/photos.aspx.

About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR – TSX: SW) develops and markets reliable, high quality wireless communications products that provide mobile professionals with data and voice access to wide area wireless networks. The Sierra Wireless product portfolio includes the award-winning AirCard® line of wireless PC cards, embedded modules for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and the MP line of rugged, vehicle-mounted wireless modems. Sierra Wireless also offers professional services to OEM customers during product development, leveraging the company’s expertise in wireless design and integration to provide built-in wireless connectivity for notebook computers and other portable computing devices. For more information about Sierra Wireless, please 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.

Contact Information

Kathleen Landry

Director, Corporate Marketing and Communications

Sierra Wireless

Contact via E-mail