Accel Networks, a provider of managed fixed wireless broadband services in North America, and Sierra Wireless, a provider of products and solutions for mobile computing and wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, announced a joint marketing agreement to deliver secure, reliable cellular solutions to critical business applications.

Through this deal, the companies agreed to offer reliable cellular connectivity to customers deploying retail transaction and networking applications.

This agreement, according to company officials, formalizes a relationship that has already enabled Accel to deploy PCI-compliant cellular fixed wireless solutions for primary and back-up connectivity.

Utilizing Sierra Wireless (News - Alert) AirLink intelligent gateways and routers, Accel Networks has provided reliable and secure solutions for several major national retail customers and food service chains, they added.Accel’s proprietary antenna technology and monitoring platforms, when combined with Sierra Wireless’s best-in-class intelligent wireless gateways and routers, make cellular fixed wireless an effective enterprise-wide solution for mission-critical applications, according to company officials.

The combined solution enables enterprise customers to expand into areas where wired broadband connections are not available or not practical.

“We are extremely pleased to have been selected by Accel Networks (News - Alert) as the preferred connectivity device for its managed network solution,” said Justin Schmid, vice president of marketing and business development, solutions and services for Sierra Wireless, in a statement.

 “This relationship facilitates a turn-key solution for wireless payment and business continuity applications, which is vital for the growth of the M2M business,” Schmid added.

Accel Networks picked Sierra Wireless devices because of their reliability and ease of integration, said Elaine Healy, president and chief operating officer of Accel Networks.

Recently Sierra Wireless announced that they have been selected by San Jose Police Department to offer comprehensive real-time mobile communication, TMCnet reported.

In another recent announcement, Sierra Wireless said its AirLink (News - Alert) Raven X and Raven XE Intelligent M2M Gateways were selected by Itron to offer primary cellular connection in its new CCU 100.