E-Plus in Germany Deploys 3G UMTS Data Cards Developed by Lucent & Novatel

CeBIT 2004, 18 - 24 March
Hall 27, B38

HANNOVER, Germany - Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) and Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL) today announced that E-Plus in Germany has been supplied with Merlin U530 Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Wireless PC card modems -- jointly developed by Lucent and Novatel Wireless - for the roll out of its third-generation (3G) UMTS network. The cards will enable E-Plus to offer business customers secure enhanced services such as mobile access to e-mail with large attachments and other information stored behind corporate firewalls at speeds of up to 384 kilobits per second. Consumer customers will profit from fast services such as high quality streaming video and audio.

The two companies are supplying E-Plus with Merlin U530 cards, system software and services to support the commercial launch of its 3G service in June 2004. By plugging the PC cards into a laptop and installing the necessary client software, network users will be able to access the UMTS network. The solution also will support customers as they roam between UMTS, GPRS and in future Wireless Local Area (WLAN) or "Wi-Fi" networks.

The commercial roll-out, maintenance and installation will be carried out by Lucent Worldwide Services, the services arm of Lucent Technologies.

"We are delighted to be working alongside E-Plus as they develop their 3G service offerings," said David Poticny, president Europe, Lucent Technologies. "Our research demonstrates that there is a strong demand for high-speed data services among enterprise customers. Our work and development of Lucent's UMTS offer has demonstrated that the benefits of the high-speed data solution with end users include benefits such as increased customer facing time by 11% an average per week, more effective out of office productivity and increased potential for sales growth and productivity improvement."

"The speed and productivity benefits that 3G UMTS offers for business users is absolutely clear," said Peter Leparulo, CEO of Novatel Wireless. "This agreement with E-Plus further highlights the progress we're making in our effort to help mobile operators in Europe and worldwide leverage the strengths of mobile high-speed data to generate new revenue, and increase customer satisfaction."

Lucent will be demonstrating 3G UMTS services using Merlin U530 cards and Lucent's end-to-end UMTS infrastructure at the Lucent stand, Hall 27, B38. Among the high-speed data applications shown are e-mail, access to the Lucent intranet through a VPN (Virtual Private Network), video-conferencing and roaming between UMTS and Wireless Local Area (WLAN) or "Wi-Fi" network. Visitors can also experience a "smart client" application, directing users to the wireless network of choice (either UMTS or WLAN) - based on a preference for either the fastest, or most cost-efficient network.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a provider of broadband wireless access solutions. Novatel Wireless' Merlin PC Cards, Expedite Embedded Modems, and Freedom Box Ruggedized Modems enable high-speed wireless access to personal, corporate and public information via portable computers, handheld devices and vertical market applications. The company delivers innovative 2.5G and 3G solutions to operators, distributors and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on Nasdaq: NVTL.

© 2004 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Merlin U530, Expedite and MobiLink are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. 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, as amended to date. 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 contained herein. These factors include risks relating to technological changes, continued acceptance of and market demand for Novatel Wireless' products, projections of future results 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 (available at www.sec.gov) and other regulatory agencies.