WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While there might not be a 'wireless' crystal ball,  CTIA-The Wireless Association® confidently projects that in 2012, its members will create more innovative wireless products and services that will improve the way millions of Americans work, live and interact. This includes the continued rollout of 4G networks and mobile technology changing the retail sector. In the CTIA-The Wireless Association® January edition of "Wonder of Wireless" (WOW), the webcast and blog (http://blog.ctia.org) take a look at some of the new wireless products as well as the CTIA Certification program that many devices go through before hitting the shelves.  

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• INSIDER INTERVIEW – Now you can earn rewards everywhere you go, via mobile. Cyriac Roeding, CEO of Shopkick, talks about the mobile application that drives retail, rewarding customers for entering stores with 'kicks' on their mobile device which can be turned in for gift cards, donations to charities and more.
• POLICY POINT – Before wireless devices are available on store shelves, many of them are evaluated and certified by CTIA. We take a look at CTIA's Certification Program that ensures these devices are up to the U.S. industry standards.
• WIRELESS AT WORK – HTC American's Online Communications Manager, Jeff Gordon, demonstrates the HTC EVO 3D, which is changing the way we see the world. The phone captures photos and videos in 3D and allows you to view them on your phone or HDTV without special glasses. 
• WIRELESS LIFESAVER – Marty Cooper was skiing in Vail, Colorado with a friend, Masami Yamamoto, and was at the bottom of a hill waiting on Yamamoto. After several minutes passed, Cooper went to his nearby home and called his friend's cellphone to discover that Yamamoto accidentally skied off a cliff above a drop of several hundred feet and was stuck. Over the next several hours, Cooper coordinated with Masami and the Vail Dispatch Center to determine his friend's exact location, which led to his successful rescue. Hear the account of a life-saving use of the cellphone from that man that played a significant role in inventing the fantastic device. 

To watch the January WOW webcast, please visit: http://www.ctia.org/consumer_info/wow/index.cfm/2012/01/.  

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CTIA-The Wireless Association® announced today that Krista Witanowski will join the trade group as an Assistant Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. When Ms. Witanowski joins CTIA January 3, 2012, she will be responsible for a variety of regulatory topics.  

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"Krista has valuable insight and experiences with the nuances of telecommunication issues from her tenure at the FCC and at a private law firm, which will serve her well when she joins CTIA next month. I look forward to working with her to ensure our members, throughout the wireless ecosystem, are able to continue to provide Americans with the world's best products and services," said Steve Largent, CEO and President of CTIA.

Most recently, Ms. Witanowski served at the Federal Communications Commission as legal advisor in the Media Bureau. She previously served as Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker's Legal Advisor for Media, Consumer and Governmental Affairs and Enforcement issues. She was also an associate focused on media and telecommunications companies at Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP in Washington D.C. Ms. Witanowski has her Juris Doctor and Masters Degree in TV, Radio and Film from Syracuse University College of Law and Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of the Holy Cross.

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board's recommendations released today, CTIA-The Wireless Association President and CEO Steve Largent said:

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"CTIA and the wireless industry agree that when drivers are behind the wheel, safety should be their number one priority. Manual texting while driving is clearly incompatible with safety, which is why we have historically supported a ban on texting while driving. As far as talking on wireless devices while driving, we defer to state and local lawmakers and their constituents as to what they believe are the most appropriate laws where they live.

"The wireless industry remains focused on educating consumers about their responsibilities when they're driving, especially inexperienced drivers. We're proud of our partnership with the National Safety Council that focuses on teens and novice drivers that tells them 'On the Road, Off the Phone.' As part of the partnership, we developed a TV and two radio public service announcements (PSAs) that have been viewed and heard by millions.

"In regards to NTSB's recommendation number 12, we have always encouraged the industry to continue to develop new technology-based tools and offerings that are affordable and consumer-friendly that would create safer driving. The industry constantly produces new products and services, including those that can disable the driver's mobile device.

"We remain dedicated to educating all consumers to ensure when they are behind the wheel, safety is their top priority."

The TV and two radio PSAs may be found here: http://www.onroadoffphone.org  

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation confirmed FCC Commissioners Ajit Pai and Jessica Rosenworcel, CTIA-The Wireless Association President and CEO Steve Largent issued the following statement:

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"On behalf of CTIA and the wireless industry, I congratulate Jessica and Ajit on their confirmation by the Committee as they go through the process to become the new FCC Commissioners. They are well-respected for their expertise and understanding of the intricacies and nuances of wireless telecommunications and technology policy matters. I look forward to working with them on policy issues that impact our customers and our ecosystem; in particular, on the bipartisan effort to deliver more spectrum so that mobile wireless providers can continue to drive our economy, create jobs and meet consumer demands." 

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After the mark-up of the Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum (JOBS) Act of 2011 by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee, CTIA-The Wireless Association ® President and CEO Steve Largent released this statement:

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"CTIA is pleased that the subcommittee approved the JOBS Act to authorize incentive auctions and free additional spectrum for wireless broadband services. We thank Subcommittee Chairman Walden and Chairman Upton for their leadership in moving the bill through today's mark-up. We look forward to seeing this important legislation considered by the full Energy and Commerce Committee as soon as possible."

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 2011 has been a banner year for the wireless industry and its ever-expanding ecosystem, with continued growth, innovation and competition. One of the many highlights is that in CTIA's semi-annual survey history, June 2011 marked the first time when there were more wireless devices (322.9 million) than people in the United States (315.5 million). As the year is almost over and 2012 around the corner, CTIA-The Wireless Association® December edition of "Wonder of Wireless" (WOW) webcast and blog (http://blog.ctia.org) focuses on this year's events in a wide range of areas, including spectrum, taxes, accessibility and sustainability.

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• INSIDER INTERVIEW – CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent reflects on some of the notable 2011 wireless industry successes, including USF reform, usage notifications for consumers and spectrum. Largent also notes that CTIA's spring show has been moved to May 8th-10th in New Orleans, LA so our members can time their new product and service releases for back-to-school and end of the year.
• POLICY POINT – CTIA and the wireless industry have had many policy successes in 2011. This includes successfully getting the U.S. House to pass a bill that would place a five year moratorium on new wireless taxes and fees for consumers; re-designing AccessWireless.org for the accessibility community; collaborating with the FCC to develop voluntary usage notification policies; and promoting sustainability and the industry's commitment to being environmentally responsible.  
• WIRELESS AT WORK – Tired of paying for individual songs on your mobile device? Muve Music is the first music experience designed specifically for a mobile phone, with unlimited music as part of a customer's wireless plan. Cricket Communications Senior Manager, Greg Lund, demonstrates the full-feature offering.
• WIRELESS LIFESAVER – During a high school basketball practice, Coach Eric Cooper experienced a nightmarish situation for a coach; one of his players collapsed on the court and wasn't responsive. Thanks to Coach Cooper's recently downloaded CPR app, Phone Aid, he was able to correctly administer CPR and revive the student. 
  

To watch the December WOW webcast, please visit: http://www.ctia.org/consumer_info/wow/index.cfm/2011/12/.  

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What: CTIA-The Wireless Association® will announce a mobile application rating system with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Applications will be rated based on age-appropriateness of their content and context. The details of the mobile application rating system will be released at the press announcement.

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When: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Registration & Light Refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m. EST.
Press Announcement at 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. EST.

Where:  Symposium Center (4th Floor) at the Top of the Hill Conference Center  at the Reserve Officers Association Minuteman Memorial Building; One Constitution Avenue, NE; Washington, DC 20002.  

Who: Confirmed speakers are: U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH); U.S. Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR); CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent; and ESRB President Patricia Vance.

Media are welcome to attend. RSVP to CTIA: ctiamedrel@ctia.org

About CTIA:
CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

About Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB):
The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). ESRB independently assigns computer and video game content ratings, enforces advertising guidelines, and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.  For more information, visit www.esrb.org, ESRB's Facebook page or follow ESRB on Twitter (@OKtoPlay).

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

ACTIA selects AirPrime™ embedded wireless modules to provide high-performance connectivity that supports remote access and services to vehicles

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW) and ACTIA today announced that the ACTIA Group, an international provider of value-added electronic equipment for the automotive market, has selected Sierra Wireless AirPrime™ AR Series modules to provide high-performance connectivity for its latest in-vehicle technology platform. AirPrime AR Series modules were designed and developed to achieve the highest level of compliance with automotive specifications, providing an unmatched level of quality and performance under harsh operating conditions.

The new platform, called the ACU-II (ACTIA Connect Unit second generation), uses the AirPrime module to allow drivers to connect and manage various functions of vehicles through a smartphone application, giving them the ability to, for example, lock or unlock their doors or turn on the heater. It also provides compliance with European and Russian eCall requirements and enables stolen vehicle tracking functionality to meet regulations in other areas such as Brazil.

“We needed a wireless solution provider that understood the unique requirements of the automotive market,” said Christian Sahlén, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at ACTIA Nordic. “Sierra Wireless offered unmatched experience and expertise in the integration of wireless for automotive and telematics applications, as well as a solution that provided eCall support already built-in, making the company a natural fit for our project.”

As part of their collaboration, Sierra Wireless and ACTIA are supporting the HeERO pilot project, currently underway in Sweden. Managed by ERTICO ITS Europe, the HeERO pilot project was created to prepare the European member states for introduction of eCall (Emergency Call) by implementing and testing eCall pre-deployment pilots in real-life environments in nine countries. The purpose of eCall is to reduce injuries and fatalities in the event of car accidents, through the automatic dialing and transmission of incident information to emergency services. The eCall system is designed to be interoperable across Europe, to guarantee service regardless of location.

“The integration of mobile connections into vehicles, whether for remote management, tracking, safety, navigation, or infotainment, is a growing trend and one in which Sierra Wireless has participated from the start, first providing embedded modules and software libraries for in-vehicle applications more than 10 years ago,” said Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless. “We are thrilled to collaborate with ACTIA to provide an innovative wireless solution that can make such an impact on both safety and quality of life for drivers.”

For more information about the Sierra Wireless AirPrime AR Series of embedded wireless modules and the eCall software library for automotive applications, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/AR_Series and http://www.sierrawireless.com/libraries/eCall.

To learn more about Sierra Wireless solutions for the Automotive market, visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/automotive.aspx,

To contact the Sierra Wireless Sales Desk, call +1 (604) 232-1488 or visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/sales.

Note to editors:

To view and download images of Sierra Wireless products, please visit http://www.sierrawireless.com/newsroom/productimages.aspx.

ACTIA Group

Automotive Division

Since it was founded in 1986, the Actia® Group has expanded on the very buoyant automotive electronic systems market and is partnered with number of commercial and industrial vehicle manufacturers thanks to its comprehensive onboard system offer. Complementary, the group is a major player in electronic diagnostics and heavy equipment for garages and testing inspection centres.

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.

“AirPrime” is a trademark of Sierra Wireless. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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.

CONTACT:

Sierra Wireless
Sharlene Myers, +1-604-232 1445
smyers@sierrawireless.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Canada  California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Hardware  Telecommunications  Mobile/Wireless  Manufacturing  Automotive Manufacturing

MEDIA:

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CTIA-The Wireless Association® announced today the election of its 2012 officers, who were chosen by its 38-member board of directors.

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The newly-elected officers will serve a one-year term beginning January 1, 2012. They are: Pat Riordan, President and CEO of Cellcom, Chairman; Mary Dillon, President and CEO of U.S. Cellular, Vice Chairman; Dan Mead, President and CEO of Verizon Wireless, Secretary; Bret Comolli, Chairman at Asurion, Treasurer; and Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint Nextel Corporation, Chairman Emeritus.

"2012 will be a pivotal year for the wireless industry on a number of policy topics, including spectrum. CTIA is fortunate to have these experienced industry executives to provide their leadership and guidance as we educate the policymakers from federal and state legislative and regulatory agencies so we remain the world's wireless leader," said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association.

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  After the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Wireless Tax Fairness Act (H.R. 1002), which would place a five year moratorium on any new discriminatory taxes and fees imposed on wireless consumers' monthly bill, CTIA-The Wireless Association ® President and CEO Steve Largent issued this statement:

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"On behalf of the 300 million wireless customers in the U.S., CTIA applauds the Wireless Tax Fairness Act's lead sponsors, Representatives Lofgren and Franks, who worked tirelessly to get the bill approved in the House. Today's vote is a crucial step toward providing wireless subscribers with some much needed relief by putting a five-year freeze on new, discriminatory taxes and fees on their monthly bills. In light of the challenging economy, we hope the U.S. Senate moves swiftly to pass the companion bill."

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association