Sprint (NYSE: S) and Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR; TSX: SW) today announced the availability of Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wireless, bringing customers lightning fast speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G(1) in any of the 33 Sprint 4G markets and dependable 3G speeds virtually everywhere else. Whether customers are streaming Hulu live, surfing the Internet or downloading huge files, they will appreciate its compact size, round design, and 180degree rotating hinge, which can accommodate both horizontal and vertical USB ports and provide an ideal fit for virtually any laptop.
Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U is available now through Business Direct and Business Solutions Partners followed by full channel availability by mid-July. Customers can purchase Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U from Sprint for free (excluding taxes) after a $50 mailinrebate, a $49.99 instant savings and with a twoyear service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade. Sprint's 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Connection plan is priced at $59.99 per month for unlimited use on the Sprint 4G Network and 5 GB of data on the Sprint 3G Network (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).(2)
"Sprint continues to lead the 4G revolution and is proud to expand its growing portfolio of devices with the addition of 3G/4G USB 250U from Sierra Wireless," said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development for Sprint. "Consumers, businesses and industries such as construction, government, healthcare and transportation will be able to extend their Internet experience beyond the home and office and benefit from the constant connectivity and realtime access at lightning fast speeds."
Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U supports Windows(R) 7, Windows Vista(R), Windows XP and Mac OS(R). Customers will appreciate its integrated GPS capability, which provides location, navigation and mapping solutions when connected to the Sprint 3G network. It is Sprint's first USB modem with dual external antenna ports, and it is equipped with separate LED displays that make it easy for a user to know whether they are connected to Sprint's 3G or 4G network. This unique, dualmode device delivers faster speeds that can help businesses move ahead with their business goals - such as improved customer satisfaction, increased productivity and increased revenue.
"Following on the success of Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, we are extremely pleased to offer Sprint customers a unique new 3G/4G device, combining the speed of 4G with the reliable coverage of Sprint's 3G network," said Mike O'Brien, vice president-Operator and Distributor Sales for Sierra Wireless. "The Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wireless is made for road warriors, providing flexibility, high quality and topnotch performance."
Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. Sprint 4G is currently available in 33 markets, covers 50 million people and is expected to cover up to 120 million people by the end of 2010. Sprint 4G is available today in Georgia - Atlanta, Milledgeville; Hawaii - Honolulu, Maui; Idaho - Boise; Illinois - Chicago; Maryland - Baltimore; Missouri - Kansas City; Nevada - Las Vegas; North Carolina - Charlotte, Greensboro (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon - Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania - Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, York; Texas - Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; and Washington - Bellingham, Seattle. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.
In 2010, Sprint expects to launch 4G service in multiple markets, including Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, and is the first and only wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industryleading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless and instant national and international pushtotalk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. With its customerfocused strategy, you can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
(1) "Up to 10x faster" based on download speed comparison of 3G's 600 kbps vs. 4G's 6 Mbps. Industrypublished 3G avg. speeds (600 kbps-1.7 Mbps); 4G avg. speeds (3-6 Mbps). Actual speeds may vary. Sprint 4G is currently available in more than 30 markets and on select devices. See www.sprint.com/4G for details. Not all services available on 4G and coverage may default to 3G/separate network where 4G is unavailable.
(2) 3G Usage: Includes 5GB of data usage. Additional data usage $0.05/MB. 3G Usage Limitation: Sprint reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred, and to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if usage either exceeds (1) 5GB/month in total or (2) 300 MB/month while offnetwork roaming. 1,024 KB equal 1 MB. 1,024 MB equal 1 GB. 3G Data Usage Limitation does not apply to 4G usage. No plan discounts apply to $59.99 plan.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forwardlooking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forwardlooking 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 conditions, channel and end customer 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 and earnings depend in part upon our ability to successfully develop, manufacture, and supply products that 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 forwardlooking 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 forwardlooking statements contained in this press release will be realized.
Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U is available now through Business Direct and Business Solutions Partners followed by full channel availability by mid-July. Customers can purchase Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U from Sprint for free (excluding taxes) after a $50 mailinrebate, a $49.99 instant savings and with a twoyear service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade. Sprint's 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Connection plan is priced at $59.99 per month for unlimited use on the Sprint 4G Network and 5 GB of data on the Sprint 3G Network (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).(2)
"Sprint continues to lead the 4G revolution and is proud to expand its growing portfolio of devices with the addition of 3G/4G USB 250U from Sierra Wireless," said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development for Sprint. "Consumers, businesses and industries such as construction, government, healthcare and transportation will be able to extend their Internet experience beyond the home and office and benefit from the constant connectivity and realtime access at lightning fast speeds."
Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U supports Windows(R) 7, Windows Vista(R), Windows XP and Mac OS(R). Customers will appreciate its integrated GPS capability, which provides location, navigation and mapping solutions when connected to the Sprint 3G network. It is Sprint's first USB modem with dual external antenna ports, and it is equipped with separate LED displays that make it easy for a user to know whether they are connected to Sprint's 3G or 4G network. This unique, dualmode device delivers faster speeds that can help businesses move ahead with their business goals - such as improved customer satisfaction, increased productivity and increased revenue.
"Following on the success of Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, we are extremely pleased to offer Sprint customers a unique new 3G/4G device, combining the speed of 4G with the reliable coverage of Sprint's 3G network," said Mike O'Brien, vice president-Operator and Distributor Sales for Sierra Wireless. "The Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wireless is made for road warriors, providing flexibility, high quality and topnotch performance."
Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. Sprint 4G is currently available in 33 markets, covers 50 million people and is expected to cover up to 120 million people by the end of 2010. Sprint 4G is available today in Georgia - Atlanta, Milledgeville; Hawaii - Honolulu, Maui; Idaho - Boise; Illinois - Chicago; Maryland - Baltimore; Missouri - Kansas City; Nevada - Las Vegas; North Carolina - Charlotte, Greensboro (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon - Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania - Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, York; Texas - Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; and Washington - Bellingham, Seattle. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.
In 2010, Sprint expects to launch 4G service in multiple markets, including Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, and is the first and only wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industryleading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless and instant national and international pushtotalk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. With its customerfocused strategy, you can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
(1) "Up to 10x faster" based on download speed comparison of 3G's 600 kbps vs. 4G's 6 Mbps. Industrypublished 3G avg. speeds (600 kbps-1.7 Mbps); 4G avg. speeds (3-6 Mbps). Actual speeds may vary. Sprint 4G is currently available in more than 30 markets and on select devices. See www.sprint.com/4G for details. Not all services available on 4G and coverage may default to 3G/separate network where 4G is unavailable.
(2) 3G Usage: Includes 5GB of data usage. Additional data usage $0.05/MB. 3G Usage Limitation: Sprint reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred, and to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if usage either exceeds (1) 5GB/month in total or (2) 300 MB/month while offnetwork roaming. 1,024 KB equal 1 MB. 1,024 MB equal 1 GB. 3G Data Usage Limitation does not apply to 4G usage. No plan discounts apply to $59.99 plan.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forwardlooking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forwardlooking 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 conditions, channel and end customer 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 and earnings depend in part upon our ability to successfully develop, manufacture, and supply products that 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 forwardlooking 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 forwardlooking statements contained in this press release will be realized.
