Rolling Wireless builds on more than 20 years’ automotive connectivity experience

Rolling Wireless was established as an independent company in 2020, when Sierra Wireless divested its automotive product line. But our history as automotive connectivity experts spans more than two decades. Here are the highlights.

The road to
Rolling Wireless

1997

The first wireless standard module

 

Wavecom, a French engineering company founded in 1993, is the first in the world to offer GSM communication technology as a standard module. The WISMO, short for Wireless Standard Module, is introduced to the market in January 1997.

1999

The first connected cars

 

Automotive telematics pioneers start to adopt Wavecom’s wireless standard module. Magneti Marelli connects first Alfa Romeo, then PSA Peugeot Citroën and Maserati with Wavecom.

2001

Ramping up with Magneti Marelli

 

Wavecom proudly announces an order for 150,000 WISMO modules from Magneti Marelli. Two decades later, Marelli is still a valued Rolling Wireless customer.

2002

Connecting Volvo On Call with Autoliv

 

The interest in wireless modules from telematics specialists is picking up. Autoliv chooses the WISMO module to connect the Volvo On Call telematic system, and automotive customers represent 3% of Wavecom’s total 2002 revenue.

2003

Dedicated solutions for the automotive market

 

The automotive connectivity market grows rapidly, and new requirements emerge. Wavecom introduces an “Automotive Development Lab”, a complete suite of automotive hardware, software, development tools and services. It includes the first wireless module to combine dual-band GSM/GPRS with GPS capabilities.

2004

Evolving technologies with Bluetooth

 

Wavecom adds Bluetooth capability to its wireless modules, in response to demand from its customers in the automotive sector.

2006

Wavecom acquires Sony Ericsson’s M2M and automotive business

 

Wavecom acquires Sony Ericsson’s M2M Communications Business Unit, which specializes in automotive and industrial wireless solutions. The acquisition expands Wavecom’s global footprint and creates the world’s largest combined wireless M2M R&D team.

2008

Accelerating in automotive

 

Wavecom introduces an automotive-grade W-CDMA module and the world’s first embedded SIM card. PSA Peugeot Citroën renews its confidence in Wavecom for its next-generation in-board communications and emergency services, and Wavecom signs new contracts with Peiker for BMW and with Denso for Toyota.

2009

Sierra Wireless acquires Wavecom

 

The Canadian mobile computing specialist Sierra Wireless acquires Wavecom in a friendly deal. The combination of the two companies creates a global leader in wireless data.

2010

A million automotive-grade modules and counting

 

In April 2010, Flextronics ships the millionth Sierra Wireless automotive wireless module from its factory in Suzhou, China. The ISO/TS 16949-compliant facility remains Rolling Wireless’ manufacturing partner, and has now shipped more than 30 million modules to automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers worldwide.

2011

Gearing up for LTE with HARMAN

 

In anticipation of growing demand from automakers for 4G LTE solutions, HARMAN starts its collaboration with Sierra Wireless in 2010. A year later, it is the first OEM supplier to announce support for Sierra Wireless’ LTE modules.

2015

Continued innovation with PSA Peugeot Citroën

 

PSA expands beyond emergency calling to provide in-vehicle applications and services, using Sierra Wireless embedded modules and the Legato platform, which provides an application framework and development environment that allows third-party applications to be built and hosted directly on the wireless module.

2016

Establishing leadership in automotive connectivity

 

Sierra Wireless wins multiple new automotive programs: Itelma for AvtoVAZ’s Lada vehicles, Pateo for Geely in China, and Valeo for Geely in Russia.

2017

Strategic collaboration with Volkswagen

 

Volkswagen selects Sierra Wireless to provide 4G embedded solutions to connect drivers with its Car-Net service.

2020

Rolling Wireless: 100% automotive

 

Sierra Wireless divests its automotive business unit to a consortium led by Fibocom Wireless Inc. Rolling Wireless is established as an independent company, focusing exclusively on building innovative connectivity solutions for tomorrow’s connected cars.

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