TORONTO—Sierra Wireless announced that regulators approved one of its high-speed wireless modems for sale. The Vancouver modem maker said that Industry Canada and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission had granted approval for its AirCard 710. The modem is Sierra’s first product for the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks being built by carriers in North America. The AirCard will also work on GSM technology prevalent in Europe.
In another development, Sierra has teamed with Microsoft to create a way for owners of Pocket PC 2002 devices to use carrier networks based on CDMA technology. Sierra will help Microsoft develop the product. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Sierra is looking for a boost given that it slashed its revenue forecast for the fourth quarter by 39 percent and said new products are being delayed. The company, whose modems allow mobile computers and handheld device users to connect with wireless networks, expected revenue of US$14 million to US$15 million for the fourth quarter ended 31 December. The company now indicates revenue for the quarter to be between US$8.3 million and US$8.6 million.
