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7/24/2002 Itronix and Sierra Wireless Deliver GPRS Mobile Workforce Solution Spokane, Wash. USA and Vancouver, BC (July 24, 2002) -- Itronix, a world leader in the design and manufacture of ruggedized, wireless mobile computing solutions, has announced that it has been selected to deliver Europe’s first major wireless GPRS mobile workforce solution to Transco, Britain’s leading gas transporter. Transco will take ownership of more than 6,000 Itronix GoBook™ notebook computers. The initial rollout of 2000 will be outfitted with the Sierra Wireless AirCard® 750 - a GSM/GPRS tri-band wide area network PC Card. The Itronix/Sierra Wireless GPRS mobile solution will operate over the Vodafone UK GPRS data network. Transco has selected a GPRS mobile communications solution to allow ‘dynamic job dispatch’ for regular and emergency field-based workers. The system allows instructions to be passed to field workers regarding the location and nature of work to be completed and, because the GPRS radio is always on, information can be modified and expanded throughout the day. E-mail, web access, and graphical data are all in the pipeline for implementation in the near future. GPRS has been chosen to replace Transco’s existing Private Radio Network (PRN) systems for several reasons. With GPRS, the user pays for the amount of data transferred rather than the duration of the call, as with GSM and PRN. GPRS is a public radio network, which reduces the maintenance costs associated with developing radio infrastructure. GPRS allows end users much greater portability because they can communicate from any location and are not restricted to the vehicle as they were with the PRN system. Finally, Itronix’s unique CRMA (Common Radio Module Architecture) technology ensures a smooth upgrade path when future technologies are required. Matt Gerber, Itronix VP of Marketing, says, “At the moment, Transco is using several different private radio networks which are expensive and difficult to maintain. The solution will enable the Sierra Wireless AirCard 750 modem to ‘wake up’ the Itronix GoBook while on standby and deliver a message, often an emergency, to that user. To all intents and purposes, the solution makes Transco engineers on-line and contactable all the time, and at a reduced cost!” Angela Sadler, Project Manager for Transco, comments: “With a project as large as this it was vital that we made the right decision. We selected Itronix because the company has the right range of high quality products, backed up by unrivalled service, support and training. Itronix and Sierra Wireless have the capability to deliver a complete end-to-end solution for our workforce management requirements as well as fulfilling all our specific criteria for system functionality.” “This announcement represents a significant GPRS technology and industry win in the field service sector. We see this as being the first of many wireless data solutions for this key early adopter market,” stated Derek Evans, VP, European Distribution for Sierra Wireless. “Companies like Transco can now benefit from a significant return on investment through the deployment of wireless technology. We are pleased to partner with Itronix to offer this unique wireless data solution that continues to improve productivity and efficiency for mobile workers during mission critical situations.” The AirCard 750 improves communication and speeds up response times for mobile users on the road or in the field in global markets. It operates as a tri-band (900, 1800, and 1900 MHz) network interface card (NIC) for worldwide access to GSM and GPRS networks. The AirCard 750 provides seamless access to corporate and personal applications through its true Type II PC Card design and application software, which seamlessly integrates into a Windows notebook and handheld device. The superior power management also allows users to work wirelessly without the need for backup batteries or frequent recharging. For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirCard 750 please visit: www.sierrawireless.com/ProductsOrdering/AC750_GSM.html About Itronix: Itronix designs, manufactures and deploys mission-critical wireless, rugged computing devices that maximize the productivity of mobile workers in markets such as commercial field services, telecommunications, utilities, government, public safety, geographical surveying and meter reading. Itronix is a subsidiary of Acterna Corporation; a Germantown, MD based global communications equipment provider focused on leading-edge communications technology solutions. Itronix worldwide headquarters are located in Spokane, Washington. The corporation’s European operations, Itronix Ltd., are located in Coventry, UK. Additional information can be found on Itronix’ web site at www.itronix.com and at www.gobookmax.com. About Sierra Wireless: Sierra Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSE: SW) is a leading provider of wireless data communications products. Sierra Wireless develops and markets wireless PC Cards for portable computers, wireless adapters for PDA's, OEM modules for embedded applications, and rugged vehicle-mounted wireless systems. Sierra Wireless is the founding member of the WirelessReady(TM) Alliance, an alliance of industry-leading hardware, software and service companies committed to the delivery of complete and compelling wireless data solutions. For more information on Sierra Wireless, visit its web site at www.sierrawireless.com. The AirCard 750 improves communication and speeds up response times for mobile users on the road or in the field in global markets. It operates as a tri-band (900, 1800, and 1900 MHz) network interface card (NIC) for worldwide access to GSM and GPRS networks. The AirCard 750 provides seamless access to corporate and personal applications through its true Type II PC Card design and application software, which seamlessly integrates into a Windows notebook and handheld device. The superior power management also allows users to work wirelessly without the need for backup batteries or frequent recharging. For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirCard 750 please visit: www.sierrawireless.com/ProductsOrdering/AC750_GSM.html “AirCard” is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks or service marks in this news release are the trademarks or service marks 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 and 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 depend upon our ability to develop, manufacture and supply products which 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. ### |
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