Two new HSDPA modems released by Sierra Wireless, designed as durable ExpressCards, have just been announced. AirCard 501 supports the 850, 1900 and 2100 MHz HSPA frequency bands, which seemingly are the most popular HSPA ones, whereas the AirCard 502 supports the 900, 1900, and 2100 MHz frequency bands.

This double appearance shows that Sierra has really taken this project seriously and has surely developed it in the same manner. More importantly, the wide scope of frequencies reveals the fact that the company has high selling expectations regarding the two cards. In addition, the cards have been created to be fully functional on the MTS, EDGE and GSM networks.

Furthermore, the AirCard 501 and 502 provide the most advanced Internet access available at the moment, reaching download speeds of up to 7.2MB/s and upload speeds of up to 5.76MB/s. The two cards have been designed mostly for those who need high speed Internet access outside the office, but because of their high resistance to “roadtrips” and their durability, they could also be a top choice for those who need fast Internet access while abroad or during the holidays.

Trent Punnett, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Development for Sierra Wireless, declared, on the matter at hand, "Sierra Wireless has a proven track record in providing high-quality, reliable wireless devices that enterprise customers trust to withstand heavy use[...]The AirCard 501 and AirCard 502 have been designed with the requirements of mobile professionals in mind, offering reliable, top-notch wireless performance in a compact, durable form factor that is easy to install and use."

Topping all the other capabilities is the easy installation and manageability process of the two modems. The first time the card goes in the computer, the Sierra Wireless TRU-Install software pops in and guides you through the installation process.

All in all, after considering the form factor and the fact that they’re supposed to resist traveling inside the computer, plus the intuitive dashboard that provides status, performance and network information, the devices are sure to appeal to a lot of users.