Sierra Wireless extends leadership in mobile broadband with enhanced 5G/4G embedded module portfolio

February 24, 2020 - VANCOUVER, CANADA: Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW), the leading IoT solutions provider that combines devices, network services and software to unlock value in the connected economy, today announced an expanded portfolio of mobile broadband embedded modules for mobile computing, routers, gateways, industrial automation, and new IoT applications, such as robotics, drones and private networks. Sierra Wireless’ 5G and 4G LTE products will power next-generation devices that enable high-bandwidth, low-latency applications, including enterprise networking, edge processing, live streaming, video security, e-gaming, smart factories, robotics, virtual reality and machine learning.

Jason Krause, COO, Sierra Wireless, said: “Sierra Wireless’ mission is to enable digital transformation across industries worldwide and drive trends from robotics to video streaming to Industry 4.0 applications. As the leader in embedded modules, this significant investment in 5G and 4G LTE solutions reaffirms our commitment to the Embedded Broadband market and long-term Sierra Wireless customers, such as Cisco, Cradlepoint, and Panasonic.”

Sierra Wireless’ first-to-market 5G EM919x and 4G LTE Cat-20 EM769x embedded modules are sampling now to OEMs and system integrators requiring secure connectivity and the highest possible speeds to deploy cellular on their mobile computing, networking and IoT platforms worldwide. Built on the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X55 5G Modem-RF System, the new EM919x standards-based M.2 modules support 5G NR mmWave, 5G NR sub-6 GHz and LTE technologies globally, as defined by the 3GPP Release 15 standard.

Gautam Sheoran, senior director, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said: “Qualcomm Technologies and Sierra Wireless have a long history of collaboration to deliver new, cutting-edge wireless technologies that deliver innovation and drive a variety of use cases. With this announcement, Sierra Wireless is enabling its customers to attain high-speed 5G performance with the Snapdragon X55, as well as the ability to utilize existing 4G networks through a wide variety of 4G LTE products.”

Sierra Wireless is also refreshing its 4G LTE products based on the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X16 LTE modem, which will allow customers to more cost-effectively utilize all the available high-speed 4G network bands, including those for CBRS in the U.S. and Private LTE applications. All devices are compatible with current Sierra Wireless EM/MC devices, with no changes required to the host design to speed time to market. The new EM/MC74x1 Cat-7 modules are a secure and cost-effective alternative to existing Sierra Wireless EM/MC745x Cat-6 modules. The devices are capable of 150Mb/s uplink, onboard image switching and secure boot. The portfolio includes:

• EM/MC7411 – M.2 form factor and mPCIe Minicard LTE Cat-7 supporting all North American carriers, CBRS and FirstNet™
• EM/MC7421 - M.2 form factor and mPCIe Minicard LTE Cat-7 supporting Europe and Asia-PAC carriers and Private LTE networks
• EM/MC7431 M.2 form factor and mPCIe Minicard LTE Cat-7 supporting all Japan carriers and Private LTE networks

Availability

Sierra Wireless 5G and Cat-20 modules are sampling now to enable OEM device development and will be generally available starting in Q3 2020. Sierra Wireless 4G LTE modules based on the Snapdragon X16 LTE modem will sample in Q2 2020, with general availability expected in Q3. For more information, visit: http://sierrawireless.com/emseries.