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Telecommunications equipment industry

Sierra Wireless and Metricom Introduce AirCard 400 for Ricochet

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Sierra Wireless, a leading provider of wireless data communications hardware and software products, has partnered with Metricom, a leading high-speed wireless network operator, to introduce the AirCard 400 for Ricochet, a wireless PC card that provides high-speed access to the Internet, corporate applications, and email. The AirCard 400 operates as an "Always On" wireless network interface card, not just as a dial-up modem, allowing users to connect to a corporate network or the Internet wirelessly and without the need for a cellular phone.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AirCard 400 for Ricochet is the first wireless PC card designed specifically for the Ricochet 128 network, offering high-speed access to the Internet, corporate applications, and email.
  • The card operates as an "Always On" wireless network interface card, not just as a dial-up modem, allowing users to connect wirelessly and without the need for a cellular phone.
  • The AirCard 400 for Ricochet is currently being demonstrated at booth #613 at the Wireless IT Show and is scheduled for commercial delivery in early 2001.
  • The card works at the speed of an ISDN line, which is three times faster than a dial-up connection, making it practical for users to download video and audio files, and graphic-intensive web sites wirelessly.
  • The Ricochet network is available in eleven service areas and is being deployed to reach a total of 46 markets in 2001.
  • The AirCard 400 for Ricochet can be used with laptops, Internet appliances, and Pocket PCs with a PCMCIA Type II slot.
  • Sierra Wireless and Metricom are committed to expanding their delivery of wireless solutions to new markets and are working together to provide total solutions embedded in hardware packaging.
  • Microsoft Corp. is supporting the AirCard 400, recognizing its potential to provide excellent connectivity to the Ricochet wide area network and enabling new enterprise and consumer solutions.

Statistics:

  • The AirCard 400 for Ricochet operates at speeds of up to 128 kbps, three times faster than a dial-up connection.
  • The Ricochet network is currently available in eleven service areas and is scheduled to reach 46 markets in 2001.
  • The AirCard 400 for Ricochet is expected to be available through Ricochet Authorized Service Providers in early 2001.
  • The total addressable market for wireless PC cards and similar products is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, driven by increasing demand for wireless connectivity and the need for high-bandwidth solutions.

Sources:

  • "Business Wire"
  • Sierra Wireless Inc.
  • Metricom, Inc.

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