TELUS to Resell Sierra Wireless EVDO Rev A Card for Mobile Broadband Wireless Access

TELUS to Resell Sierra Wireless EVDO Rev A Card for Mobile Broadband Wireless Access

TELUS and Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SW) announced that the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 wireless wide-area network card is the first available in Canada capable of operating on TELUS’ Wireless High Speed (EVDO) Rev A network when available.

EVDO Rev A is TELUS’ next-generation wireless network technology that offers typical upload speeds of 300 to 400 kilobits per second with maximum possible upload speeds of 1.8 megabits per second, and typical download speeds of approximately 450 to 800 kilobits to a maximum possible speed of 3.1 megabits per second. TELUS plans to introduce EVDO Rev A service in selected markets across Canada later this year. The AirCard 595 offers forward compatibility with TELUS’ EVDO Rev A network through a simple software upgrade.

“TELUS is committed to providing our clients with mobile data solutions like the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 that offer fast, secure and convenient access to e-mail, the Internet, and corporate networks and applications,” said Robert Blumenthal, TELUS’ senior vice-president of Products and Services. “And with its easy EVDO Rev A upgradeability, the AirCard 595 is also an investment in the future of wireless high-speed.”

“TELUS’ future upgrade to EVDO Rev A will offer significant benefits, particularly to mobile users who create large files like photos or other media content that need to be submitted from the field,” said Dan Schieler, senior vice-president of Worldwide Sales for Sierra Wireless. “The AirCard 595 enables customers to take advantage of the increased efficiency of the network as soon as it is available.”

The Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 now operates on the TELUS Wireless High Speed network (EVDO Rev 0). With typical download speeds of approximately 400 to 700 kilobits per second, and maximum possible speeds of more than 2 megabits per second, TELUS Wireless High Speed service offers clients the speed they need for powerful mobile computing.

TELUS Wireless High Speed (EVDO Rev 0) service is currently available to more than 50 per cent of Canadians in 36 regions across the country, including all major urban centres. TELUS clients can also access Wireless High Speed Internet while traveling in more than 230 cities in the United States. Where TELUS Wireless High Speed service is not available, TELUS clients can also access the Internet through TELUS 1X digital service, which reaches 92 per cent of Canadians. For more on service availability, please visit telusmobility.com/coverage.

The AirCard 595 fits a standard Type II PC Card slot on portable computing devices and is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and 2000 and operating systems. With the launch of EVDO Rev A, the AirCard 595 will also support Windows Vista and MAC OS X. The AirCard 595 offers improved reception, speed and durability thanks to its high-performance fixed antenna design.

The Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 is available from TELUS retail locations across Canada for as low as $99.99 on a three-year contract subject to promotional requirements until March 31, 2007, or $349.99 with no contract.