Feb. 8, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --
Canada's fastest coast-to-coast mobile network just got faster
TORONTO, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - Canadians will enjoy even faster mobile internet access speeds this March with TELUS' launch of a new Dual Cell upgrade to HSPA+ (DC-HSPA+). This new network capability supports extremely fast manufacturer's rated peak download speeds of up to 42 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 11 Mbps1. TELUS' HSPA+ network is now a fourth generation (4G) network according to current International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standards2, and this latest innovation will ensure that TELUS continues to bring the latest in mobile technologies to Canadians.
The first device to take full advantage of this new Dual Cell capability will be the Sierra Wireless AirCard 319U 4G Internet Key, available to TELUS customers in March on Canada's fastest coast-to-coast mobile network3.
"Canada is an innovation leader in communications technology, and TELUS is at the forefront, bringing our customers the most advanced wireless technology available. Dual Cell is just the latest example of our commitment to offer our clients the latest and greatest available technology," said Eros Spadotto, executive vice-president of Technology Strategy at TELUS. "This upgrade means our customers can enjoy faster speeds when they want to be entertained on-the-go, stay in touch with family and friends, visit their favourite social media sites, stay connected to business contacts wherever they are, and access healthcare information and applications at their fingertips. Our latest 4G Sierra Wireless mobile internet key offers not only blazing fast download speeds but it's also easy to use; you just plug it into your computer and you are good to go."
The Sierra Wireless AirCard 319U 4G Internet Key is an ultra portable, easy-to-use mobile solution for internet users who want to take advantage of Dual Cell's download speed of up to 42 Mbps. It is backwards compatible to HSPA+ and offers the Sierra Wireless Watcher connection manager software to help users monitor their local or international data usage.
"Sierra Wireless is thrilled to support TELUS in its commitment to provide the best available wireless technology to Canadian customers," said Dan Schieler, senior vice-president and general manager, Mobile Computing for Sierra Wireless. "The Sierra Wireless AirCard 319U is uniquely designed to work the way our customers need it to work - on the fly, in tight spaces, and fast. It offers a great solution for anyone who wants to live a truly mobile life."
TELUS' Dual Cell upgrade maximizes the potential of HSPA+, an industry-recognized 4G technology which provides an interim step towards the deployment of Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network technology. With the Dual Cell upgrade, TELUS marks another milestone in the evolution to LTE. For more information about TELUS' 4G network, please visit www.telusmobility.com/4G.
1 Speed may vary due to the device being used, network congestion, distance from the cell site, local conditions and other factors.
2 December 6, 2010 ITU News Release: ITU World Radiocommunication Seminar highlights future communication technologies.
3 Based on TELUS' tests of data throughput speeds in large Canadian urban centres available from national HSPA+ service providers. Internet access speed provided by the network operator may vary due to the device being used, network congestion, distance from the cell site, local conditions and other factors. Speed on the Internet is beyond the wireless network operator's control and may vary with your configuration, internet traffic, website server and management policies, and other factors.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications
company in Canada, with $9.7 billion of annual revenue and 12.1 million
customer connections including 6.9 million wireless subscribers, 3.8
million wireline network access lines and 1.2 million Internet
subscribers and 266,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President
and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of
communications products and services including data, Internet protocol
(IP), voice, entertainment and video. In support of our philosophy to
give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have
contributed $211 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations
and volunteered 3.7 million hours of service to local communities since
2000. Nine TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS' local
philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most
outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the
Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian
company to receive this prestigious international recognition.
TELUS forward looking statements
This news release contains forward looking statements. Forward looking
statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current
expectations, Company assumptions and projections about future events
and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from
the future results expressed or implied by the forward looking
statements, including the timing and availability of the DC-HSPA+
network and Sierra Wireless AirCard 319U 4G Internet Keys. Such
statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and
uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Company assumptions and
risk factors are listed from time to time in TELUS' reports, public
disclosure documents including Management's discussion and analysis,
Annual Information Form, and in other filings with securities
regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States.
About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR - TSX: SW) offers industry-leading mobile
computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and
solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular
networks. Wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers,
enterprises and government organizations around the world depend on us
for reliable wireless technology. We offer 2G, 3G and 4G wireless
modems, routers and gateways as well as a comprehensive suite of
software, tools, and services that ensure our customers can
successfully bring wireless applications to market. For more
information about Sierra Wireless, visit www.sierrawireless.com.
"AirCard" is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Sierra Wireless 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.
AJ Gratton
TELUS Media Relations
(416) 320-0364
aj.gratton@telus.com
