irasia.com


Hutchison Whampoa Limited



NEWS RELEASE

Hutchison Telecom, m499.com and Sierra Wireless Launch
the AirCard® 750 in Hong Kong

Vancouver, British Columbia-Hong Kong - June 13, 2002 - Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited, m499.com Limited and Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSE: SW) announced today the launch of the AirCard® 750 GSM/GPRS wireless PC Card in Hong Kong. Sierra Wireless has entered the Hong Kong market with the AirCard 750 through a distribution agreement with m499.com Limited, a subsidiary of Hycomm Wireless Limited (HKEx: 499). m499.com Limited will distribute the AirCard 750 to Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited, one of Hong Kong's largest mobile operators. Hutchison Telecom is the first mobile operator in Hong Kong to deliver the AirCard 750 on its Orange GSM/GPRS network providing laptop and PDA users fast, reliable access to the Internet, email, and corporate applications. This represents the first launch of AirCard 750 in the Hong Kong market.

Now deployed in numerous countries around the world, the AirCard 750 is designed to allow users to roam wirelessly in international markets wherever GSM/GPRS network coverage is available. Hutchison Telecom's Orange customers can use the AirCard 750 while traveling in countries where GPRS roaming is available. Currently, Hutchison Telecom provides GPRS roaming services in China (Beijing, Shenyang, Fuzhou and Guangzhou and Macau), Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and the UK. The company will continue to extend its GPRS coverage to other parts of the world.

"We are pleased to join forces with Sierra Wireless and m499.com to offer the tri-band AirCard 750 to Hong Kong mobile users. Being one of the largest mobile operators in Hong Kong with superior network quality, the most innovative services and the widest international roaming coverage, Hutchison Telecom has been leading the wireless data development with the launch of Hong Kong's first 2.5G mobile data service and wireless modem cards. The AirCard 750 is an extension of our pioneered high-speed data communications services which meet different requirements of our customers. This announcement reaffirms our vision to deliver the most compelling mobile services to our customers, furthering our leadership position in the Hong Kong mobile market," said Agnes Nardi, Managing Director of Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited.

"Partnering with Sierra Wireless is a great opportunity for us as we deliver the first supply of AirCard 750s to mobile users in Hong Kong," said Kleine Lai, Chief Technical Officer, m499.com. "Sierra Wireless has a strong and solid reputation in the industry for delivering quality and reliable products to global markets and we're excited to bring their innovative solutions to the Hong Kong market. This announcement provides this city's mobile users access to leading edge wireless solutions both here and abroad."

"Working with industry leaders like m499.com and Hutchison Telecom allows us to enter new international markets and continue our global wireless initiatives," said Jason Cohenour, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Sierra Wireless. "Mobile users need the tools to stay connected, and the AirCard 750 provides the solution to stay connected in a growing mobile world. We look forward to working with both of these new partners to deliver first-rate product offerings to this exciting marketplace."

The AirCard 750 will become an indispensable tool for users who travel and work outside the office and require wireless access to information from notebooks, laptops, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The AirCard 750 improves communication by providing users with fast, reliable access to real time information on globally recognized GSM/GPRS networks. It also improves response times for mobile users on the road or in the field, by providing anytime, anywhere wireless access to the Internet, email, and corporate applications at speeds up to 56 kbps - faster than most people get at home through their Internet dial-up service. Its superior power management also allows users to work wirelessly without the need for backup batteries or frequent recharging. A true Type II PC card, the AirCard 750 functions on the 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands which permits it to operate as a Tri-Band wide area network interface card (NIC) on the GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) networks. The AirCard 750 is one device designed to keep the mobile user connected. For more information about the AirCard 750 please visit www.sierrawireless.com/ProductsOrdering/AC750_GSM.html

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, 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 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.

About Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited

Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited ("Hutchison Telecom") is the operating unit for managing Hutchison Whampoa Group's wireless communications operations in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China. Hutchison Telecom is the largest mobile operator in Hong Kong, providing superior GSM Dualband and CDMA services with superb network quality and the widest international roaming coverage under the "Orange" brand. With the award of a 3G license in Hong Kong in October 2001, the Company is currently developing a world-class 3G network in Hong Kong and extending its 2G/2.5G technical and service excellence into the 3G era. Hutchison Telecom forms an integral part of Hutchison Whampoa Group's global 3G footprint with a vision to lead Hong Kong to stay at the forefront of the mobile multimedia arena. For more information about Hutchison Telecom, please visit the Company's website at www.orangehk.com.

About m499.com

m499.com Limited is a 100% subsidiary of Hycomm Wireless Limited (HKEx: 499) and is founded in the year of 2000. m499.com is a mobile packet data and inter-network data solution provider to both corporate and public users. m499.com pioneered a CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) network in Guangzhou, Huizhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen cities in PRC under the partnership with Hycomm Technology Inc. to provide narrow band mobile data services since 2000. Applications using CDPD connection like GPS, remote meter reading, traffic light control system and remote terminals for law enforcement officers are list of successful cases.

It also plans to launch an inter-network 2-way SMS (Short Message Service) service to mobile users covering the Greater China region. m499.com is currently devoted to build an application platform with SMS interoperability as a building block for other ASP's and to bring all these applications over to both SMS and GPRS wireless channels. The company will expect more EMS and MMS applications to be ready soon with the carrier's network support. For more information about m499.com, please visit the company's website at www.m499.com.

About Sierra Wireless

Sierra Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless data communications products. Sierra Wireless delivers 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

"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.


For Further Information Contact:

Ms Frances Ng
Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited
(852) 2128 6739
frances.ng@hthk.com

Andrea Susan Dyck
Sierra Wireless
(604) 233-7823
adyck@sierrawireless.com

Mr. Kleine Lai
M499
(852) 2913-1238
kleinelai@m499.com


Source: Hutchison Whampoa Limited
  • Press Releases
  • Company's Index
  • irasia.com

  • © Copyright 1996-2024 irasia.com Ltd. All rights reserved.
    DISCLAIMER: irasia.com Ltd makes no guarantee as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided on this website. Under no circumstances shall irasia.com Ltd be liable for damages resulting from the use of the information provided on this website.
    TRADEMARK & COPYRIGHT: All intellectual property rights subsisting in the contents of this website belong to irasia.com Ltd or have been lawfully licensed to irasia.com Ltd for use on this website. All rights under applicable laws are hereby reserved. Reproduction of this website in whole or in part without the express written permission of irasia.com Ltd is strictly prohibited.
    TERMS OF USE: Please read the Terms of Use governing the use of our website.