EDMI smart metering modem with Sierra Wireless AirPrime embedded module hailed as “Best Mobile Innovation for Utilities”
Barcelona, Spain – February 16, 2011 – EDMI and Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR; TSX: SW) are pleased to announce that the two companies were awarded the GSMA Global Mobile Award for Best Mobile Innovation for Utilities at the 2011 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The award, judged by an independent panel of industry experts, recognized EDMI’s EWM100 modem for smart metering applications, which uses Sierra Wireless AirPrime embedded modules to provide robust cellular communications. The jury commented: “A fantastic product concentrating on solving the issues presented to utilities in gathering meter data using wireless technology.”
The EWM100 is an industrial-grade machine-to-machine communications solution designed specifically for smart metering applications. It provides robust GSM/GPRS connectivity between a utility’s operations center and individual power meters in the field. With secure, real-time communications, utilities can manage grids more efficiently, remotely control services, and support in-home energy management applications that empower consumers to change their consumption behavior and lower their costs.
As energy suppliers worldwide expand their investments in smart metering technologies, solutions like the EWM100 provide a powerful platform to enhance energy distribution and optimize legacy grids. By enabling end-to-end, two-way communications down to the individual power meter, utilities can enhance electricity generation and distribution, reduce peak consumption by shifting demand loads and, ultimately, create a “greener” power grid that serves more customers with less energy supply.
“Cellular connectivity offers a compelling option for smart metering communications infrastructures, enabling energy suppliers to radically reduce installation costs and implementation times,” said Graeme Lees, Chief Operating Officer, EDMI. “We are very proud to be recognized among such an impressive field of candidates, and the award is a great inspiration for our team to continue our drive toward innovation.”
Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, M2M Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless, said: “Smart metering is the future of the energy sector, and EDMI is at the cutting edge of this fast-growing market. We are thrilled to have contributed to this solution, and to have played a role in demonstrating how cellular communications can help transform an industry. We offer our warmest congratulations to EDMI.”
EDMI is a market leader in the provision of smart energy meters and advanced metering solutions with its headquarters and manufacturing based primarily in Singapore. Its research and development facilities are strategically situated in Brisbane, Singapore and Shanghai to provide continuous product development and support to its growing global customer bases in Europe, the ASEAN region, Middle East, South Africa and the rest of Asia. EDMI has established marketing offices and regional hubs in Singapore, Australia, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, France and the UK. These centers serve as regional customer service and technical support hubs responsible for supporting specific local market requirements for our metering products. For more information visit, www.edmi-meters.com
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.
“AirPrime” is a trademark of Sierra Wireless. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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.
{Sierra Wireless News Release}