Sierra Wireless Award-Winning PocketPlus(TM) CDPD- and Circuit Switched-Capable Wireless Modem Now Commercially Shipping; GTE, McCaw, Bell Atlantic, Ameritech and AirTouch among cellular carriers now offering PocketPlus with cellular service to commercial customers.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 1995-- Norman Toms, president of Sierra Wireless of Vancouver, today announced that the PocketPlus(TM) 210 for Windows is in full commercial release.

Major cellular carriers including GTE, McCaw, Bell Atlantic, Ameritech and AirTouch have made the PocketPlus available to their customers.

A prerequisite for full commercial release was compliance by the hardware to the highest environmental specifications for shock, vibration, and temperature. In the same light, the PocketPlus' embedded modem software fully accommodates all existing CDPD specifications and clean migration to future specs through software upgrades. The PocketPlus offers advanced features including power savings, channel hopping, cell hand-offs, and roaming.

The PocketPlus, the smallest wireless modem on the market, features multiple data communications options including 19,200 bps Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), as well as 14,400 bps V.32bis and V.17 fax over circuit switched cellular and wireline Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It incorporates a cellular transceiver and rechargeable batteries into a palm-sized, serially-connected modem for Windows-based portable computers. Its acclaimed user interface software makes configuration, modem switching and channel monitoring simple.

"One of the features of the PocketPlus is the modem's ability to switch between CDPD and the ubiquitous circuit-switched cellular network," says Charles M. Parrish, general manager-Mobile Data Services at GTE Personal Communication Services. "It affords the user the flexibility to access the most cost-efficient mode of transmission."

Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), a highly reliable, encrypted packet data overlay on the existing cellular networks, is now in broad deployment with more than 60 U.S. cities slated for service this year. CDPD is also undergoing tests in cities in Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Far East.

AMPS cellular service covers almost every corner of the North and South American continents. In the United States alone there are more than 20 million voice subscribers and an estimated 3% of these are users of circuit-switched cellular data.

"It is important to us as we bring new solutions to our customers in the rapidly growing world of CDPD technology that they be able to take advantage of them in the easiest, most user-friendly way possible," says Kendra VanderMeulen, vice president and general manager for McCaw's Wireless Data Division. "The PocketPlus, with its compact form factor and advanced user interface, makes the CDPD technology transparent, while making its advantages apparent and immediate."

Bundled with software that ensures easy installation and intuitive use, the PocketPlus for Windows supports WINSOCK 1.1, TCP/IP-based applications in all modes. Existing modem and fax applications operate in circuit switched cellular and wireline modes, and are optionally supported over CDPD. PocketPlus features include:

-- Compact size - the smallest wireless modem available, as small and light as today's hand-held cellular phones.

-- Fully self-contained including radio transceiver and rechargeable battery pack.

-- 12-hour + operating battery life with CDPD power-saving mode.

-- Simple serial connection to any existing or new portable computers.

-- Multiple communications options: 19.2kbps CDPD, 14.4kbps fax and data circuit switched cellular and wireline.

-- AT&T's Enhanced Throughput Cellular (ETC) for robust, high speed circuit switched cellular communications.

-- Bundled software enabling true applications support for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. Icon or menu driven, the user does not need to use AT commands to configure and control the modem.

-- AC power adapter (with battery recharging circuitry built into the modem, the AC adapter can also recharge the batteries when plugged in).

-- Standard AA cells, including Lithium, can also be used.

Every Windows version of the PocketPlus modem ships with InfoExpress' InfoManager client software (an Internet mail, news and stock quotes service). The PocketPlus is currently in multiple trials incorporating such applications as terminal emulation, dispatch and messaging, electronic mail groupware, airline reservations, and remote database access.

Award Winning

Just this past month, the PocketPlus wireless modem was honored at the Mobile Insights '95 conference in Scottsdale, Arizona as the year's best two-way wireless modem. The awards were sponsored by Mobile Letter and PC World magazine.

"As CDPD service becomes widely deployed, the tools that make the technology easy-to-use are essential for there to be widespread adoption. In designating the Sierra Wireless PocketPlus modem as a recipient of the first Mobility Award, the awards committee recognized its role as a catalyst in the growth of the CDPD market," says Dr. J. Gerry Purdy, editor of Mobile Letter and director of Mobile Insights '95.

Availability and Pricing

The PocketPlus modem for Windows is available in the $1195-$1295 (US) price range depending on service and support configurations and is available through leading cellular service providers, systems integrators, and Sierra Wireless. The Macintosh version of the PocketPlus is now in beta trials with availability and pricing to be announced.

The Company

Sierra Wireless Inc. develops combination wireless/wireline modems for the portable computer user. Backed by Sierra Semiconductor, of San Jose, Calif., and MPR Teltech (an advanced technology subsidiary of BC Tel in Vancouver), members of the Sierra Wireless team have achieved a number of technical advancements in wireless data systems and products. For more information contact: Andrew Harries, Sierra Wireless Inc., #260, 13151 Vanier Place, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, V6V 2J2. Telephone [phone]. FAX [phone].

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-- PocketPlus(TM) is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

-- B&W photos, color transparencies, and computerized graphics are available by phoning MorseMcFadden Communications at 206/889-0528, FAX at 206/889-0917 or [e-mail]

CONTACT: Sierra Wireless, Vancouver

Andrew Harries, 604/231-1100

or

MorseMcFadden Communications, Inc., Kirkland, Wash.

Dan McFadden, 206/889-0528, [e-mail]