Sierra Wireless and Nortel to Demonstrate Complete HSDPA Solution at 3

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors
    3GSM World Congress 2005

    CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2005--Sierra Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWIR)(TSX: SW), 3GSM WORLD CONGRESS

    Leading wireless companies join forces to offer live demonstrations of High-Speed Downlink Packet Access solution in Cannes, France, February 14 to 17.

    Sierra Wireless today announced that it is cooperating with Nortel(i) to provide live HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) demonstrations at 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, February 14 to 17. Using the AirCard(R) 850 wireless wide area network card and commercial UMTS infrastructure equipment from Nortel, the two companies are collaborating to demonstrate the increased speed and efficiency of the HSDPA standard in delivering data rich content such as streaming video and audio to mobile users.

    Sierra Wireless and Nortel recently announced they had achieved the first live air HSDPA calls, using a commercial network and data cards slated for commercial release. These calls were a milestone in their joint efforts to test and market their respective HSDPA products offering network operators a seamless, pre-tested solution to ease deployment and support.

    HSDPA represents the next generation of the UMTS wireless standard used by leading wireless operators across Europe, Japan and North America to deliver voice and data services. HSDPA will boost network capacity to carry up to three times as much data traffic and up to twice as many wireless users per cell site compared to today's UMTS networks. By making more efficient use of the existing network and boosting throughput, HSDPA will enable users to significantly reduce operating costs while delivering a better end user experience.

    "We are pleased to work with Sierra Wireless to demonstrate the potential of a tested and interoperable HSDPA solution," said Peter MacKinnon, President, GSM/UMTS, Nortel. "This combined solution will allow our global customers to implement HSDPA more easily and cost-effectively, delivering a better, more reliable mobile broadband service to their subscribers."

    "The increased performance, speed, and efficiency available with the HSDPA standard are key factors in driving momentum toward its adoption, and we are pleased to collaborate with Nortel to offer live demonstrations of these benefits," said Jason Cohenour, Chief Operating Officer for Sierra Wireless. "Cooperative efforts like this help both companies to deliver our products to market more quickly and with confidence, while providing the best possible user experience for our customers."

    The latest addition to Sierra Wireless' award-winning AirCard product line, the AirCard 850 utilizes the 2100 MHz UMTS frequency band and is targeted primarily for use in Europe. The card will also be compatible with EDGE and GSM/GPRS networks on all four GSM frequency bands (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz), for worldwide use in areas where a UMTS network connection is not available. Commercial availability of the AirCard 850 wireless network card is expected in the second half of 2005.

    Demonstrations will take place in a private customer experience center hosted by Nortel in the Majestic Hotel, and in a tent outside the front entrance to the Congress Center, hosted by Orange and Nortel.

    Note to editors:

    For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirCard product line, or to download images, please visit www.sierrawireless.com/news/kit.asp.

    About Sierra Wireless

    Sierra Wireless is a leader in delivering highly differentiated wireless solutions that enable our customers to improve their productivity and lifestyle. Sierra Wireless develops and markets the AirCard, the industry-leading wireless PC card line for portable computers; embedded modules for OEM wireless applications; the MP line of rugged vehicle-mounted connectivity solutions; and Voq Professional Phone, a line of mobile phones with easy-to-use, secure software solutions for mobile professionals. For more information about Sierra Wireless please visit www.sierrawireless.com.

    "AirCard" is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless. "Voq Professional Phone" is a trademark of Sierra Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    (i)Nortel is a trademark of Nortel Networks.

    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 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 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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CONTACT: Sierra Wireless, Inc. Sharlene Myers (604) 232-1445 smyers@sierrawireless.com OR Sierra Wireless, Inc. Nadia Arshad AxiCom +44 7713 404 571 Nadia.Arshad@axicom.com www.sierrawireless.com

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