AT&T Adds Nearly 1.6 Million Emerging Device Connections In 3Q 2010

By Abraham Joseph

DALLAS, 22 Oct. 2010 - AT&T  announced more than 4.5 million connected devices have been added to the AT&T network in the past four quarters. The total third quarter emerging devices growth, which includes 1.2 million connected devices as well as embedded computing devices, was nearly 1.6 million. Embedded computing devices include tablets, netbooks and laptops, and are included in either the company's postpaid or prepaid subscriber categories.

The total number of emerging devices, including postpaid and prepaid embedded computing devices, connected to the AT&T network – both for consumers and businesses – now exceeds 8.5 million.

AT&T has certified more than 910 specialty devices that can be used for consumer or business solutions, such as eReaders, netbooks, digital photo frames, personal navigation devices, home security monitoring and smart grid devices – for use on its wireless network.

AT&T's wireless network enables consumers and business customers access to a range of new, innovative solutions and applications that help make their lives and workplaces more efficient and productive. The AT&T emerging devices portfolio includes consumer electronics devices, rugged handsets and laptops for industrial environments. In addition, AT&T's machine-to-machine applications enable enterprises and governments to track, monitor, maintain and manage their remote assets to optimize asset utilization and fully mobilize their business processes.
"We remain a top choice for consumer electronics manufacturers, including several who are now running their second generation of connected products on our network," said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T. "Leading consumer electronics companies, business device manufacturers and start ups choose AT&T because of the advantages we provide:   the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, the GSM world standard for wireless technology, the nation's largest Wi-Fi network, flexible business models, and a dedicated device certification lab."

AT&T created its emerging devices organization in 2008 and has emerged as the clear industry leader in one of the wireless industry's fastest growing areas. Recognizing the growing demand for emerging device solutions in the enterprise market, AT&T also formed the Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions Group in May 2010. The group delivers advanced mobile applications and solutions for both traditional and emerging devices to businesses, governments and organizations of all sizes.

"Since we formed our Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions group earlier this year, we've been collaborating more and more with our Emerging Devices team to deliver to customers a complete mobile experience," said Michael Antieri, president, advanced enterprise mobility solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "Our team works to define, deliver and deploy business solutions that help corporations and government agencies wirelessly enable their business applications on virtually any device."

Source: AT&T Inc.

BIOSIGN CLOSES ACQUISITION OF HEALTHANYWHERE ASSETS

HA provides software solutions addressing the continuum of care from wellness promotion and self-managed care to chronic disease management. The HA solution has proven its ability to improve outcomes. A recent project that included 98 patients in Northern Ontario reported outcomes that include a 50 percent reduction in events/incidences resulting in emergency room visits, while falls decreased by 85 percent.

Radu Leca, Biosign's CEO, noted: "This acquisition pleases us on several fronts. Adding HA solutions to the Biosign UFIT® non-invasive measurement platform creates a wholly innovative, scalable, end-to-end health monitoring solution that solves persistent problems for providers and payers in several vertical markets. For example, legislation changes in the Unites States mandate a shift in patient monitoring costs from 'administration' to 'medical provision' (or from 'inhouse' to 'outsourced') in order for insurers to comply with the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This change creates a brand new, multi-billion dollar market for reliable telemetric patient monitoring that Biosign can immediately address."

About Biosign Technologies Inc.
Biosign Technologies Inc. provides biomedical systems. Key applications include intelligent systems for noninvasive monitoring of common health risks associated with blood pressure, glucose, and medication. The core technology combines measurement, analysis, and rapid knowledge formation to support health monitoring across global markets. The UFIT® medical device technology powers quality data collection and analytics for clinical diagnostics, self-care, wellness, disease state evaluation & management, and remote patient monitoring. For more information on Biosign, please visit www.biosign.com.

Source: Biosign Technologies Inc.

Sierra Wireless Introduces New LTE Wireless Modules

The new AirPrime MC Series embedded modules allow manufacturers to take advantage of the latest generation of high-speed mobile networks, delivering up to 100 Mbps download speeds and 50 Mbps upload speeds, integrated GPS capabilities, and broader compatibility than previous technologies. Compatibility with existing 2G and 3G networks ensures users stay connected whether they're in major cities or traveling across the country, and supports international roaming. 

The Sierra Wireless AirPrime MC series modules for LTE networks also support Qualcomm's Gobi application programming interface (API). This interface helps streamline integration efforts, spur application development among third-party developers, and delivers greater flexibility to device manufacturers.
"Sierra Wireless' new wireless modules use our industry-leading, multimode 3G/LTE MDM9200™ and MDM9600™ integrated chipsets to provide broadband connectivity via a wide range of mobile network technologies, including 2G, 3G and LTE networks," said Fram Akiki, senior director of product management with Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. "Furthermore, these chipsets are compatible with Qualcomm's Gobi API in order to deliver support for a growing ecosystem of software providers' solutions for connectivity, location, and manageability, giving consumers new ways to leverage their mobile broadband connections."

Manufacturers are already using these new capabilities to incorporate high-speed wireless connectivity into a variety of upcoming devices, including notebook, netbook, and tablet computers; connected consumer electronics products such as personal navigation devices; and home or enterprise-class routers. Sierra Wireless already has several design wins for these modules with multiple device manufacturers.

"With its unprecedented flexibility and throughput, LTE technology is opening up new opportunities for the next generation of mobile computing, multimedia, and HD video applications," says Dan Schieler, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Computing for Sierra Wireless. "This series of intelligent embedded modules will help our customers take full advantage of new LTE network technologies and lead the industry in providing innovative products for this market."

In addition to the new AirPrime MC Series embedded modules, Sierra Wireless plans to introduce new AirCard® USB modems and mobile hotspots in the first half of 2011 that also support the latest LTE network technologies and data rates. As with the embedded modules, the new AirCard products will be backward-compatible with existing 2G and 3G networks to provide the widest coverage and best possible customer experience for end users as operators expand their LTE network roll-outs.

The AirPrime MC7750 and MC7700 modules are now sampling. The AirPrime MC7710 module is expected to be available for sampling during the first half of 2011. Test samples of Sierra Wireless' new LTE AirCard products are expected to be available to operators and network infrastructure partners by end of 2010.

About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless 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. The company offers 2G, 3G and 4G wireless modems, routers and gateways as well as a comprehensive suite of software, tools, and services that that enable customers to bring wireless applications to market.

Source: Sierra Wireless

Wyless and Sprint Deliver M2M “One-stop Shop‟

“We are excited to work with Wyless and to be part of their global partner ecosystem. M2M is shattering conventional notions about what a business can deliver for its customers", said Wayne Ward, Vice President, Sprint Emerging Solutions Group. "Business opportunities that were once technically infeasible or too capital-intensive are now both realizable and profitable in a short period of time.

Dan McDuffie, Global Sales VP, Wyless Group, said, “This new partnership with Sprint means we are now able to provide CDMA services to our global ASP partners, providing greater flexibility and lower costs for higher bandwidth applications in the US market. Integrating CDMA into our managed M2M platform and global wireless network strengthens our ability to provide customers and partners with the quickest and most cost-effective route to market. We are very happy to be working so closely with Sprint's Emerging Solutions Group.”

About Sprint Emerging Solutions

The Sprint Emerging Solutions Group (ESG) is an industry leader in M2M and embedded solutions. ESG delivers a full complement of assets critical to successful M2M and embedded solutions deployments. These include, network-agnostic capabilities (including CDMA, iDEN, 3G, 4G and a reliable Tier 1 IP network), specialized industry solutions engineering teams, an open approach to devices and applications through the company's Open Device Initiative, an expansive M2M partner ecosystem and the ability to provide customers with customized solutions that can include distribution, branding, billing and customer care services.

About Wyless

Wyless is a leading global M2M managed services provider. Its resilient platform, delivered in partnership with the world‟s largest network operators, provides secure, reliable communications with wireless devices in over 120 countries. Its powerful management tools offer real-time reporting and control over all devices connected to its network.

Source: Wyless