AirLink Communications Launches Intelligent Rugged Modems for EDGE Networks

Powered by Siemens’ MC75 Quadband EDGE Module, AirLink’s Products Offer Pervasive, High-Speed Connectivity to Fixed and Mobile Assets 

September 23, 2005 

Hayward, CA – AirLink Communications, Inc., a pioneer and leading provider of fixed and mobile wireless data solutions, today announced the commercial availability of its newest intelligent rugged modems for EDGE networks, which it will showcase at next week’s CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment 2005 show (M2M Zone, Booth #322). Developed with the Siemens MC75 quadruple band EDGE module, the rugged modems will enable enterprise and industrial customers to ubiquitously monitor and control fixed and mobile assets. AirLink’s offering includes three distinct products: Raven, Raven Ethernet and PinPoint, which have passed field-testing and have formal certification from Cingular Wireless, the nation’s largest wireless company. Additional carrier certifications are expected to be completed in 2005, and the products are fully compatible with all existing GSM/GPRS frequencies worldwide.

"AirLink is a true innovator in the North American M2M and telematics markets," explained Peter Fowler, Vice President, Sales, Wireless Modules NAFTA Region, Siemens Communications, Inc. "The quality of their solutions and leading position as an integrated software vendor for key vertical applications make AirLink an automatic selection as a Siemens tier one original equipment manufacturer, receiving early access to our first-to-market, carrier-certified, class 10 EDGE MC75 module."

All AirLink EDGE modems are equipped with the AirLink Embedded Operating System (ALEOS) intelligent software, making them ideally suited to handle complex asset management applications across several broad industry sectors.

• Raven is an intrinsically safe, Class I Div 2 certified intelligent rugged wireless device designed for telemetry, SCADA, intelligent transportation, utility management, remote monitoring and homeland security.
• Raven Ethernet functions as a gateway or network appliance – providing a robust, high-speed wireless alternative when Ethernet connectivity is optimal, but cable and DSL options are too costly, not available or when true mobility is desired. Applications include primary and backup router connectivity, automation, ATM machines and point-of-sale.
• PinPoint combines the rich intelligence of ALEOS with a high-precision GPS receiver to provide a robust and cost effective solution for countless mobile workforce and asset tracking applications such as fleet management, real-time dispatching, automatic vehicle location and public safety.

“Adding quadband EDGE technology to our portfolio of wireless data solutions allows our customers to capitalize on pervasive, high-speed connectivity to critical information,” stated Justin Schmid, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “Working with our partners, we are helping end users migrate from older, slower wireless networks to EDGE – allowing them to reap the benefits of dramatically improved speed and coverage, while realizing a rapid return on their investment.”

Systems integrator and AirLink Authorized Dealer, Locher Environmental Technology, is one such partner helping AirLink customers make the transition to EDGE technology. Locher Environmental specializes in helping customers such as government agencies and research institutions deploy remote telemetry applications for environmental data collection. One Locher Environmental customer has already purchased hundreds of AirLink EDGE modems for a remote telemetry application requiring real-time monitoring of the discharge of a large river and the monitoring of the aquifer, along with weather information. This information is then fed back to a central host computer, which can trigger a series of actions to further analyze or alter water quality.

“We have been using AirLink modems in our integrated solutions for several years now and have found them to be very reliable across all the wireless technologies they support,” commented Kevin Locher, CEO of Locher Environmental Technologies. “With the breadth of AirLink’s portfolio, we can help our customers choose the ideal intelligent wireless connectivity solutions, based on their unique needs and geographic constraints, to achieve the desired results. Several of our customers are now considering replacing their existing wireless applications employing CDPD, CDMA or GPRS with the faster AirLink EDGE technology.”

EDGE stands for Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution, a high-speed wireless technology that offers increased data speeds to mobile devices with complete interoperability and backwards compatibility to existing GSM/GPRS networks. With download speeds of 100-130 kilobits per second (Kbps) and burst speeds up to 200 Kbps, EDGE technology is three times faster than GPRS and nearly twice the speed of CDMA 1x networks.

About Locher Environmental Technology
Locher Environmental Technology, established in 2001, provides integrated solutions for the environmental monitoring industry. Integrated monitoring systems are utilized to monitor mission-critical applications for many federal, state, and local agencies. One of the key elements of the monitoring system is the versatile, reliable, and robust communication network. Information pertaining to water levels, water discharge, wave height and period, wind gust / direction, rainfall, water quality, etc. is received in real-time via a wide-area telemetry network. The information received assists agencies in their decision-making process, for both immediate action and future planning. For more information, please visit www.locherenv.com, or call 866-956-2437.

About AirLink Communications
AirLink Communications, Inc., founded in 1993, delivers wireless data solutions that enable pervasive connectivity to fixed and mobile assets. The company’s continued industry leadership is based on its reputation for making complex wireless data solutions work. AirLink proactively designs and commercializes products based on a clear understanding of evolving customer needs. The company maintains strong working relationships with carriers, dealers and solutions providers. Its devices are broadly certified on major wireless networks in North America. AirLink’s multi-tiered product suite includes both hardware and comprehensive software. For more information, please visit www.airlink.com.