WAVECOM : Celebrates 15 Years of Wireless Innovation

Regulatory News:

The year 1993 marked several milestones in the history of wireless communications. The number of GSM subscribers reached the symbolic figure of one million. Mobile data services were born, with the first SMS from phone to phone being sent in Finland. And three young engineers with a firm belief that the future would be wireless founded Wavecom (Paris:AVM) (NASDAQ:WVCM).

A history of innovation

Since its inception fifteen years ago, in June 1993, Wavecom has continuously pioneered not only wireless technology development, but also the creation of new business models contributing to driving the wireless communications market forward.

In its first three years of existence, Wavecom operated as an engineering consultancy primarily focused on wireless communication. By 1996, the founders realized there was a market for a standard GSM module, which could be integrated into mobile phones and other wireless applications. This was a major break with the industry's classic business model, where every phone manufacturer developed its own GSM stack from scratch. The first WISMO (Wireless Standard Module) was introduced in January 1997 and became an instant success. The WISMO met the needs of Asian handset makers who were able to quickly enter the exploding Chinese market for mobile telephones.

In 2003, Wavecom innovated again with the launch of a software platform which enabled developers to embed their own applications directly onto the wireless module, thus eliminating external processors. This technology leap transformed Wavecom's products from mere wireless modems into powerful Wireless CPU®s, which now process data and store them in embedded memory, listen to more than 50 peripheral devices, run embedded customer applications, connect to the internet and much more – all while they continue to perform the basic functions of the wireless connectivity.

Innovation continues and the latest extension to Wavecom's offering is a complete end-to-end service portfolio, Intelligent Device Services (IDS). These services allow users to remotely manage their wireless devices securely over-the-air. They are used for upgrading firmware and application software, configuring devices, and implementing remote diagnostics. On the basis of the IDS offering, Wavecom once again has introduced a new business model – StarService – where the hardware (a Wavecom Wireless CPU®, WMP50) is provided free of charge, enabling customers to get their wireless business started at zero upfront investment in hardware.

Fully focused on M2M

For the last four years, Wavecom has been focusing exclusively on the M2M market. Currently, its most important market segments are automotive, automatic metering, fleet management and alarm and security systems. With more than 30 million units already operating in the field and a unique technology ownership, Wavecom is well-positioned to consolidate and reinforce its leadership position in this field.

In order to sustain its growth and expand its range of products and services, Wavecom has been actively acquiring companies that provide complementary technologies or customer bases. Only since 2006, Wavecom has extended its offering and market share with the acquisitions of NextGen (Internet protocol and client software), Sony Ericsson M2M (a competitor with a strong foothold in the United States), and Anyware Technologies (advanced software solutions that optimize enterprise processes).

Michel Alard, co-founder and Chairman of the Board, declared: ?In 1993, nobody believed that the mobile handset market would exceed a billion units a decade later. And while the M2M market is still a little slow to take off, I am convinced that its potential is even bigger. With 15 years of expertise and experience in this area, I am confident that the next 15 years will see Wavecom continue to realize our vision: To be a driving force in building a fully connected wireless world.?

About Wavecom

Wavecom is a leading provider of smart-device communications technology for innovative M2M (Machine to Machine) business solutions. Built on unparalleled wireless expertise, Wavecom solutions include a range of Wireless CPU^®s (microcontrollers with built-in wireless communication capability), backed by the Open AT^® Software Suite with its own real-time operating system, an integrated development environment and a wide range of Plug-Ins. These complete embedded solutions, which use chipsets tailored to M2M markets, enable makers of all types of machines to develop a new breed of intelligent wireless applications without the need of external processors. Wavecom also provides an industry-leading portfolio of operated services which enable the remote monitoring and upgrade of devices in the field.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris (France), Wavecom's main subsidiaries are located in Hong Kong (PRC), Research Triangle Park, NC (USA) and Farnborough (UK). Wavecom is publicly traded on Euronext Paris in France (AVM) and on the NASDAQ exchange in the USA (WVCM).

www.wavecom.com

Wavecom contact
Lisa Ann Sanders
Director Communications and Investor Relations
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Americas Region:
Sara Brown
Communications Manager, Americas Region
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APAC Region :
Kathy Kwan
Marketing Communications Executive
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