- Cinterion Wireless Modules GmbH
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Cinterion Wireless Modules GmbH 
Type Private Industry Telecommunications Predecessor Siemens Wireless Modules Headquarters Munich, Germany Products Wireless Modules and Terminals Services Engineering Support Revenue ~176 million Euros Owner(s) Gemalto Employees 335 Divisions NAFTA, Africa, South America, Southeast Europe, Northern Europe, APAC, Middle East, China Website http://www.cinterion.com/ Cinterion Wireless Modules GmbH, formerly Siemens Wireless Modules, is a manufacturer of wireless modules for the cellular machine-to-machine (short M2M) communication. The company is based in Munich, Germany and has about 335 employees worldwide. It was acquired from Siemens in June 2008 by a group of investors led by Granville Baird, a venture capital company. It has a 34% share in the global wireless modules business for Machine to Machine applications.[1]
In September 2008 Cinterion Wireless Modules announced that is had signed a contract with Astrata Group to provide GLP100i GSM communication module.[2] In the contract Astrata Group has committed to buy at least 200,000 units for at least four years.[3]
In June 2010 Cinterion was acquired by Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security.
What is a wireless module?
Wireless modules are the component of an M2M device which produce, transmit and decode data over a cellular network. There are two basic wireless networks for which modules and M2M solutions are developed – GSM and CDMA. Cinterion modules operate on GSM networks which outweighs the CDMA market globally. The GSM Association estimates that 82% of the global mobile market uses the standard, with over 3 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories using it.
Wireless modules can be differentiated by the cellular standard (GSM/UMTS/CDMA), the cellular data standards (GSM, UMTS, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA), as well as by technologies (Java, GPS, SIM Access Profile). GSM/UMTS are internationally standardized cellular technologies, which allows the user unlimited mobility due to worldwide coverage and the interwoven roaming networks. GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA data standards allow varying data transmission speeds which can allow for very high speed communication. Java/GPS/SIM Access technologies give OEMs the ability to customize the modules to fit their needs. Modules are further differentiated by the type of approval/certifications earned. Before a module is approved to connect to a wireless network, it is subject to rigorous, often expensive testing to gain various approvals and certifications including, but not limited to, RF, PTCRB, U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and carrier approval. Pre-approved modules are more economically fiesable providing cost efficiencies and a shorter time to market. All Cinterion wireless modules are pre-approved and certified. Additionally, Cinterion wireless modules manufacturing process adhere to environmental regulations including the RoHS and WEEE, as well as complying with ISO TS 16949 quality benchmarks.
Wireless modules can be integrated into technology solutions to help a huge range of organizations and enterprises across many industries. Currently, Cinterion modules are used in a broad portfolio of solutions designed for a wide ranging applications including remote maintenance and control, environmental monitoring, health care or mHealth, industrial computing, electronic toll systems, metering, automotive, POS systems, router gateway, security systems, as well as tracking and tracing.
Wireless modules help companies to minimize costs by improving processes and thus efficiency. For example, by placing an M2M solution into a vending machine, unnecessary stops of the route men will be avoided as the system will alert the company when it needs to be refilled – Allowing the company to save money from avoidance of any unproductive worker time, as well as saving gas, and time. Another example of efficiency improvement is seen in fleet management solutions that help transportation and delivery companies closely monitor fleet operations to ensure vehicles are properly fueled, up to date on maintenance, mileage, and speed which helps forecast and offers the ability to guarantee a timely delivery.
References
- ^ Walko, John (June 2, 2008). "Cinterion hailed as M2M wireless modules leader". EE Times.
- ^ "Cinterion Wireless Modules Partners with Astrata".
- ^ "Astrata Executes Four-year Supply Agreement with Cinterion Wireless Modules ".
- "Cinterion takes over Siemens Wireless Modules". Telecom Paper. 2 June 2008. http://www.telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=217207&nr=. Retrieved 2008-10-09.[dead link]
- "Siemens rend sa liberté à sa division Modules sans fil" (in French). ITRmanager.com. mardi 03 juin 2008. http://www.itrmanager.com/articles/78126/siemens-rend-liberte-division-modules-fil.html. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
- "Gemalto acquires Cinterion, the global leader in Machine-to-Machine" (in French). gemalto.com. http://www.gemalto.com/php/pr_view.php?id=789. Retrieved 2010-29-06.
External links
Categories:- Companies based in Munich
- Electronics companies of Germany
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