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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.