EDGE Used for Remote Telemetry Applications

Digi International has launched a WAN GSM service which provides Ethernet-to-wireless IP connectivity to remote sites and devices via the cellular GSM network. The Digi Connect WAN GSM is a gateway that offers an alternative to landline data connections by utilizing Cingular's GPRS/EDGE network for backup network connectivity. Cingular yesterday announced the product as a component in the company's new Wireless WAN Connectivity Service. Customers such as Florida Power and Light and EnerNOC have also chosen the Digi Connect WAN GSM for primary and back-up remote site connectivity.

The Digi Connect WAN GSM creates a diverse WAN connection so that when primary wired connections are unavailable, mission critical data continues to flow through the wireless connection. The product also provides reliable primary communications for remote locations.

"The Digi Connect WAN GSM combines with Cingular's powerful, nationwide EDGE network to provide customers with a truly diverse and secure high-speed back-up solution to their wireline data connections at the edge of a company's IT network," said Hamish Caldwell, executive director, Cingular Wireless Business Markets Group. "Digi offers the marketplace a reliable wireless gateway that is easy to install and operate in conjunction with the Cingular EDGE network that fully meets the expectations of our joint customers. We look forward to continue working with Digi as we market the Wireless WAN Connectivity Service to our extensive business customer base."

According to Glen Allmendinger, president, Harbor Research, "The Digi Connect WAN GSM with its EDGE technology represents an important step forward for intelligent device connectivity. Up until now, there has been a whole class of intelligent devices that are really 'widows and orphans,' that is, devices that are either in very remote locations or devices needing back-up but where the cost to back-up has been prohibitive. Digi's cellular/wireless partnerships and its new software capabilities will allow Digi to open up a whole new growth opportunity in the larger sphere of wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) communications."

Posted to the site on 23rd February 2005