EarthCam Selects Sierra Wireless AirLink® XR80 5G for World’s First Multi-Network 5G Camera System

Sierra Wireless AirLink® XR80 5G router integrated into new EarthCam solution enabling advanced live-streaming, safety and security analytic applications

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW), a world leading IoT solutions provider, today announced that EarthCam, a leading provider of webcam content, technology and services, has selected Sierra Wireless’ AirLink® XR80 5G router for their world-first multi-network 5G camera system, the StreamCam 5G.

World’s First Multi-Network 5G Camera System

Sierra Wireless’ AirLink® XR80 5G provides EarthCam’s StreamCam 5G with the fast, ultra-low latency and reliable 5G connectivity needed to send an almost unlimited amount of visual data from high resolution live-streaming cameras, easily allowing users to keep up to date on the progress of a project, or share their location with vastly improved file transfer times. Large amounts of data from environmental, safety and security sensors can be quickly accessed, and the camera also features AI capabilities. First announced in October of 2020, EarthCam’s 5G multi-network camera system offers 4K streaming, 12-megapixel photography and built-in time-lapse capabilities.

“Sierra Wireless is an excellent partner, supporting EarthCam as we pioneer next-generation live-streaming cameras,” said Brian Cury, CEO and Founder of EarthCam. “5G is the future of webcam technology and it is becoming indispensable as clients require increasingly high quality video data, accessible from anywhere. Our collaboration with Sierra Wireless delivers efficient and powerful new solutions for entertainment, construction safety and AI analytics. With 5G and Sierra Wireless’ AirLink® XR80 router, we’re able to drastically cut file-transfer times for a full day of recordings from two hours to five minutes.”

Sierra Wireless’ AirLink® routers including the XR80 5G and the RV55 LTE-A Pro, are essential for EarthCam’s all-weather cameras for multi-year project documentation, such as time-lapse videos of the NFL’s largest stadium, Los Angeles SoFi, Denver International Airport and the rebuilding of the World Trade Center Site in Manhattan. “EarthCam systems are renowned for reliable operation for many years in the field, plus easy configuration, deployment and management,” continued Mr. Cury. “Sierra Wireless’ industrial grade, reliable wireless devices are an important component of these industry-leading solutions.”

“The Sierra Wireless AirLink® XR80 5G router is purpose-built to maximize connectivity, reliability, and security for both mission-critical and business-critical applications,” said Tom Mueller, Vice President, Product Management, Sierra Wireless. “It delivers consistent primary and backup connectivity for both public and private networks ensuring that connectivity is “always-on”, making it ideal for EarthCam’s 5G implementation. Its seamless global connectivity enables users to easily monitor jobsites remotely in real-time and is an integral part of the EarthCam solution. The router provides the secure and reliable network connection to stream live video from EarthCam’s cameras to the cloud, enabling new applications and increased capabilities.”

Sierra Wireless AirLink® XR80 5G High-Performance Multi-Network Router

Purpose built for mission-critical environments and high performance business-critical 5G applications, the XR Series routers, which includes the AirLink® XR80 5G, improve the performance and reliability of video streaming, video offload, voice communications and other data-intensive and time-sensitive use cases by ensuring that the router connects to the best-performing network, at the right time. This is achieved through AirLink OS, which features Cognitive Wireless, Sierra Wireless’ patented technology that automatically delivers sub-second switching to the best available network.

The AirLink® XR Series was designed for operational simplicity, from initial set up and configuration, with zero-touch out of the box provisioning, to ongoing management. Part of the 5G solution portfolio that includes management software and reporting systems, 24×7 support, routers, antennas, and accessories, the XR80 5G is managed by the AirLink Management System (ALMS), a cloud-based management platform which includes remote device management and mobility-focused reporting through AirLink Complete. Additionally, an embedded LPWA cellular radio, connected through Sierra Wireless Global Connectivity, provides an always-on out-of-band management link to ALMS. This unique capability provides zero touch provisioning and a link of last resort from the router to its management platform, to ensure the ongoing operational success of these 5G deployments.

How 5G is Supercharging Visual Data for Monitoring, Documentation and Promotion

The combination of low latency and high data throughput provided by 5G has increased the capabilities of project documentation and public outreach, enabling large networks of cameras to stream ultra-high definition video in real-time, and provide vast amounts of bandwidth making 4G wireless congestion a concern of the past. This and its ability to enable advanced analytical capabilities will have a major impact on virtual tourism, smart cities, transportation networks, and commercial environments, offering improved safety, security and documentation.