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AirCard posts

Sierra Wireless adds 2-in-1 HSPA+ AirCards to a lineup already fraught with action and danger

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 1st 2009 at 3:03PM

Sierra Wireless has just announced five new AirCard data cards and USB modems, including devices supporting HSPA+ frequencies. The AirCard 503, AirCard USB 308, and AirCard USB 309 all support peak download speeds of 21Mbps, with the former being a 2-in-1 PC card / ExpressCard device and the latter two being basically the same USB modem (except the first one supports 850MHz, 1900MHz, and 2100MHz frequencies, while AirCard USB 309 limits you to 900MHz and 2100MHz bands). If the raw excitement and glamor of HSPA+ speeds are more than you (or your budget) can handle, the company is also introducing a couple plain ol' HSPA cards with respectable peak downloads of 7.2Mbps and peak uploads of 5.76Mbps. The AirCard USB 301 supports 850MHz and 2100 MHz bands, while the AirCard USB 302 does its thing in the 900MHz and 2100MHz range. Scheduled to begin shipping in the fourth quarter of this year for prices to be announced. PR after the break.

Continue reading Sierra Wireless adds 2-in-1 HSPA+ AirCards to a lineup already fraught with action and danger

Sprint debuts 2-in-1 AirCard 402 mobile broadband card

by Donald Melanson posted Apr 21st 2009 at 4:31PM

It's not exactly for everybody, but we have a sneaking suspicion that Sprint's new Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 mobile broadband card -- first spotted last month -- will make at least a few multiple laptop owners out there very, very happy. As you can see above, this one can function happily as an ExpressCard one moment and a PC Card the next, with each providing the same dual-band CDMA connectivity and support for EV-DO 1xRTT, Rev. 0, and Rev. A, along with all the other standard features and software you'd expect from a mobile broadband card. Perhaps the best news, however, is the price, which at $99.99 (after $180 instant savings and a $50 mail-in rebate), is pretty much in line with Sprint's other plan old ExpressCard options.

Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 plays PC Card and ExpressCard roles

by Darren Murph posted Mar 30th 2009 at 3:42PM

We can't say there are an awful lot of folks out there looking for a single mobile broadband card that'll play nice in both PC Card and ExpressCard slots, but for that niche that's intently paying attention, have a look at this. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 is the company's first to offer such 2-in-1 functionality, and it's designed to operate on EV-DO Rev. A networks handling speeds of up to 3.1Mbps (downlink) / 1.8Mbps (uplink). Users can also bank on the company's TRU-Locate GPS service to "quickly and accurately establish location for local searches and navigation." There's no mention of a price or release date, but it should be on hand for us to peer at during CTIA this week.

[Via ExpressCard-Info]

Sierra Wireless intros 'ruggedified' AirCard 501 and 502 modems

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Dec 17th 2008 at 1:07PM

Sierra Wireless has just announced two new ExpressCard modems for HSUPA wireless users. Sporting download speeds up tp 7.2Mbps and upload speeds up to 5.76Mbps, the AirCard 501 supports 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz bands, while the AirCard 502 covers 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz. Both are backward compatible with UMTS, EDGE and GSM networks world 'round, and they're being touted as "durable," meaning there are no little antennas or plastic pieces to break on you. That last part should be good news to all of you post-apocalyptic Road Warriors out there (or not -- they're still just regular ExpressCards, as far as we can tell). The AirCard 501 is slated for release later this month, while those of you interested in the AirCard 502 will have to wait until the first part of 2009.

[Via Slash Phone]

MacBook Air hacked with internal EV-DO -- finally lives up to its name

by Thomas Ricker posted Apr 29th 2008 at 8:14AM

One of the most surprising things about the launch of an ultra-portable laptop dubbed "Air" by Apple wasn't its thinness but the lack of an embedded WWAN radio. No more, at least if you're not intimidated by smoldering solder and warranty violations. Jordan Bunnell has posted a step-by-step of his success at integrating a Verizon USB727 Aircard into the MacBook Air chassis thanks to the MBA's previously unused USB controllers discovered on the system board. While the EVDO signal (and speed) has appreciably degraded from its externally attached origins, Jordan is still pulling 1,400 to 1,700kbps downloads and 380kbps uploads -- something which might be improved with antenna tweaks. Regardless, those speeds are significantly faster than the 0kbps stock MBA owners experience.

[Thanks, Tom]

AT&T starts shipping HSUPA cards

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 18th 2007 at 4:59PM

We'd heard it was coming, and now it's here -- AT&T's HSUPA network is now accessible to consumers who pony up for a Sierra AirCard 881 LaptopConnect card. The PC Card still supports HSDPA download speeds of 600 to 1400Kbps, but the upgrade to HSUPA means users can pump bits back up the tubes at 500 to 800Kbps as well. Customers will be able to score a free AirCard with a two-year data plan of $60 a month or higher until November 3 -- which is a shame for anyone outside New York, since HSUPA won't roll out to AT&T's other "select markets" until "later this fall."

Sierra Wireless intros AirCard 880U / 881U USB modems

by Darren Murph posted Aug 30th 2007 at 12:41PM

Hot on the heels of the AirCard 595U, Sierra Wireless is expanding its HSUPA offerings with a new duo of USB modems. The AirCard 880U and 881U both connect to your Windows or OS X-based computer via USB, sport the company's TRU design features, and offer up a "theoretical maximum [upload] speed of 2Mbps," while downlink speeds tout a "theoretical maximum of 7.2Mbps." Additionally, in areas where HSUPA networks aren't available, both modems are "fully compatible with HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, and GSM network technologies on all frequencies currently used worldwide." The 880U is said to be "optimized for Europe and Asia, while the AirCard 881U is optimized for North America," and both units are slated to ship out next month.

[Via Macworld]

Verizon intros Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem

by Darren Murph posted Aug 16th 2007 at 4:38PM

BroadbandAccess customers, meet Sierra Wireless' AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem, which is (almost) finally available to you through Verizon Wireless. Designed for use with your USB port, this EV-DO Rev A modem can also be connected through the included docking cradle, and even comes bundled with VZAccess Manager software. Additionally, the device boasts an internal, removable battery to "ensure there is always enough power support to handle peak or fringe area transmission requirements," and should be available for those interested on August 30th for $179.99 -- after you mail back a pesky rebate and sign your name to a two-year agreement, that is.

Sierra Wireless AirCard 875U now available on AT&T Premier

by Darren Murph posted May 7th 2007 at 11:50AM

At long last, the wait for Sierra Wireless' AirCard 875U on AT&T is over, as the USB WWAN modem has just popped up on the firm's Premier webstore. Unsurprisingly, this 2.2-ounce portal to the world connects via USB 2.0 and provides interoperable service between BroadbandConnect and EDGE networks. You'll find all the quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA love you could ever need here, and while Windows 2000, XP, and Vista users are all taken care of, it looks like the OS X crowd will have to sit this one out for awhile. So if you're interested in hopping on the 3.6Mbps mobile internet highway, head on over to AT&T Premier with $379.99 (or $149.99 with a new two-year contract) ready to hand over.

P.S. -Macs can get their 3G on with Sierra's Mac driver support here.

[Thanks, Jake]

Cingular debuts Sierra Wireless Aircard 875

by Paul Miller posted Nov 20th 2006 at 2:50PM

If you're still rocking a PCMCIA slot, and haven't filled it yet with some other tantalizing 3G option, Cingular just busted out its first UMTS/HSDPA laptop card, the Sierra Wireless Aircard 875, which might strike your fancy. Built by Sierra Wireless, who has been quite busy on this front of late, the card has theoretical peaks of 3.6Mbps down and 384Kbps up, and Cingular rates the actual speeds at around 400-700 and 100-120 respectively. While there's not much point to the purchase if you don't have Cingular's 3G Broadband Connect service in your area, the card can serve up EDGE data in a pinch. Without contract the 875 will run you $349.99, but with $149.99 off for a 2-year service agreement, and an additional $100 rebate when you sign up for unlimited data service, you might emerge from your local Cingular store relatively unscathed.

[Thanks, Josh M.]

Sierra AirCard 875 brings 3.6Mbps HSDPA

by Paul Miller posted Jun 1st 2006 at 12:32PM

We're a bit miffed that this new AirCard from Sierra isn't coming in an ExpressCard form, especially now that good number of the major laptop manufacturers (Dell, Lenovo and Apple to name a few) are sporting ExpressCard slots in their newer models, but HSDPA is HSDPA and we're glad to see it all the same. The device -- a bump to last year's 860 -- supports 3.6Mbps (theoretical) speeds, which is as fast as anybody is doing it right now, and should provide for more than a few WiFi shaming connections to those with the cash and the infrastructure to enjoy it. Along with tri-band HSDPA and UMTS, the 875 can do quad-band EDGE/GPRS, so road warriors beware: you're about to run out of excuses for lost connectivity -- we'd think this one over if we were you. No word on price or initial availability.