Centertap to Make Novatel Wireless Modems Available in Brazil

- Supply Agreement Signed for CDMA, GSM/GPRS and CDPD Wireless Access Products -

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - September 18, 2002 - Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, and Centertap, a Value Added Distributor in Brazil, today announced a supply agreement under which Centertap will sell Novatel Wireless' products in Brazil. Initially targeting the Brazilian enterprise industry and network operators, Centertap will offer the Merlin G201 GPRS Wireless PC Card along with all of Novatel Wireless' CDPD products, including the Merlin, Minstrel and Lancer product families.

Under the terms of the supply agreement, Centertap will source wireless data products from Novatel Wireless in order to meet Brazilian forecasted demand. Centertap will also carry future Novatel Wireless products for the high-speed GPRS and CDMA 1X networks as coverage and product availability expand. The Brazilian distributor will also provide technical support and wireless activation services to its customer base; assist carriers in launching, customizing and marketing Novatel Wireless' products; and obtain the necessary certifications required by appropriate Brazilian regulatory agencies.

"We view Brazil as an important emerging market for wireless data," stated Peter Leparulo, senior vice president of Novatel Wireless. "As we have done in other countries, we have forged a relationship with the most respected and most capable partner who could provide regional market intelligence and sales and technical support to drive our international sales expansion. In Centertap, we have found a strategic partner who not only understands the complex market drivers of the Brazilian IT landscape, but who already has large enterprise and carrier accounts implementing wireless data solutions."

According to The Yankee Group, there are over 30 million wireless subscribers in Brazil. That number is expected to increase substantially in the next year, as new technologies are made available. Brazil was the first country in Latin America to deploy GPRS and CDMA 1X wireless networks.

"We selected Novatel Wireless as our supplier because of its extensive product portfolio and its commitment to deploy the latest wireless technologies in the most cost-effective manner," commented Hamilton Mattias, CTO for Centertap. "We have a very discerning customer base and want them to have the highest performing wireless data solutions, such as the Merlin G201 dual-band PC Card modem, and the extensive range of CDPD products, to increase productivity and provide secure, reliable, real-time connectivity."

Inquiries from Brazil on Novatel Wireless products can be directed to:
Novatel Wireless Inc.
Mr. Javier Martinez
Channel Manager
E-mail: [email protected]

Centertap
Ms. Maria Lucia
Sales Coordinator
Av. Francisco Matarazzo, 404 - S=E3o Paulo - SP - Brazil
Phone: (+5511) 3990-4600
[email protected]

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.
Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless data modems and software for use with handheld computing devices and portable personal computers. The company delivers innovative and comprehensive solutions that enable businesses and consumers to access personal, corporate and public information through email, enterprise networks and the Internet. Novatel Wireless also offers wireless data modems and custom engineering services for hardware integration projects in a wide range of vertical applications. The Novatel Wireless product portfolio includes the Minstrel(r) Family of Wireless Handheld Modems, Merlin Family of Wireless PC Card Modems, Sage(r) Wireless Serial Modems, Lancer 3W Family of Ruggedized Modems and Expedite Family of Wireless Embedded Modems. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: NVTL). For more information, please visit the Novatel Wireless web site: www.novatelwireless.com or call 888-888-9231.

ABOUT CENTERTAP
Centertap, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Opticom Communications do Brasil Ltda., is a leading Value Added Distributor of data communication equipment in Brazil, catering to landline and wireless carriers, as well as to its broad base of reseller customers. The inception of Centertap's operations in the industry dates back to the late 80's, when it introduced in Brazil the first dial-up modems and remote access servers. Centertap captured most of the home and office banking market in Brazil, and supplied the majority of ISP's accesses deployed in Brazil. Later, and as a response to the growth of broadband demand in the country, Centertap helped the big ILECs to deploy xDSL services, by supplying them with large carrier-class equipment and systems. Centertap helped US Robotics, Ascend, Lucent and PairGain, among others, to capture and maintain the leadership in the Brazilian Market. Continuing its innovative role in the Brazilian data communication marketplace, it now launches in the country the state-of-the-art Novatel wireless products. For more information, please visit the Centertap's web site: www.centertap.com.br or call (+55 11) 3990-4600.20

^© 2002 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Minstrel, Merlin, Merlin C201, Sage, Lancer 3W and Expedite are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Minstrel and Sage are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include risks relating to technological changes, continued acceptance of Novatel Wireless' products and dependence on intellectual property rights. These factors, as well as other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, are discussed in more detail in Novatel Wireless' filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory agencies.