Novatel Wireless Advances Full Portfolio of Integrated Devices for Insurance Telematics and Fleet Management

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (Mobile World Congress Booth: 1A55) — Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of intelligent wireless networking solutions, today announces additional integrated devices aimed at insurance telematics and fleet management. The new MT 3050, MT 4000 and MT 4100 devices will support a number of air-interfaces expanding portfolio reach regionally and globally and with additional features and functionality targeted towards application service providers, system integrators, enterprises and insurers in the global Fleet Management and Usage-Based Insurance market verticals.

"Novatel Wireless' MT solutions are designed to keep pace with the growing demand for enhanced vehicle intelligence focusing on ease-of-use and plug-and-play capabilities while keeping total upfront costs low," said Rob Hadley, CMO of Novatel Wireless. "The new MT devices are attractive to service fleets with passenger cars, vans, and trucks where managers are charged with improving safety, increasing productivity and reducing costs. In addition, these new products also enable providers in usage-based insurance for Pay-As-You-Drive/Pay-How-You-Drive programs, which gives the consumer, and even fleets, more control over their insurance premiums through driver behavior reporting, speed violation alerts, distance and duration traveled, and time of day reporting."  

According to ABI Research there is increasing demand for vehicle intelligence solutions in the Telematics, Fleet Management and Usage Based Insurance markets, reporting the number of global insurance telematics users are expected to grow at a CAGR of 90 percent to 89 million in 2017.

Building upon the Novatel Wireless MT 3000 OBDII plug-and-play platform, the new MT 3050 adds a disconnect alert feature using a new in-device backup battery and features GPRS, 1xRTT and HSDPA wireless technology options. So no matter the application -- fleet management, usage-based insurance, teen tracking, or any other application — or the region of the world, the MT 3050 is the option for customers charged with lowering upfront telematics costs or who require temporary vehicle installation. The MT 3050 is easy to install with a plug-and-play design where the device inserts into the OBDII port of a vehicle.

As an alternative to the MT 3050 and purpose-built for similar applications, the MT 4000 and MT 4100 are well-featured device options for a more permanent in-vehicle installation, while still lowering upfront installation costs with their innovative internal antenna design. Offering a similar feature set, the MT 4000 and MT 4100 provide superior GPS location performance, and the same on-board Smart Agent event engine for driver behavior reporting, geo-fencing, messaging and much more. The MT 4000 is a quad-band GSM/GPRS device designed for flexible solution deployment. The MT 4100 builds on the MT 4000 design and adds a second serial interface and more GPIO and will be available in GPRS, 1xRTT and HSDPA versions.

"We have been testing the new MT 4000 device from Novatel Wireless for a couple of months and we're very impressed with the device and new key features such as the 1-wire (Driver ID) input for driver identification, low power sleep mode and analogue inputs for e.g. temperature monitoring," says Uwe Bertram, managing director of Sycada, a fleet management solutions provider. "The MT 4000 device offers a range of targeted features ideal for fleet management in a very cost-effective package."

All MT devices can be coupled with Novatel Wireless' robust N4A Communications and Management Software platform and be monitored, managed and reconfigured remotely from almost anywhere in the world. By combining the N4A CMS platform with the intelligence of the MT wireless tracking devices, customers will gain a solution that offers ease-of-deployment, superior, reliable performance in a small and flexible package.

About Novatel Wireless
Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of intelligent wireless solutions based on 2G, 3G and 4G technologies providing wireless connectivity. The company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, retailers, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Product lines include MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspots, Ovation USB modems, Expedite embedded modules, Enfora smart M2M modules, and Enfora integrated M2M solutions. These innovative products provide anywhere, anytime communications solutions for consumers and enterprises. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more information please visit www.nvtl.com. (NVTLG)

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, new product introductions, 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 (available at www.sec.gov) and other regulatory agencies.

(C) 2012 Novatel Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless name and logo, Enfora and N4A are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other Company, product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Contacts:
Novatel Wireless, Media Relations
Charlotte Rubin
Tel: (858) 812-3431
Email: [email protected]

Novatel Wireless, Investor Relations
William A. Walkowiak, CFA
Tel: (858) 431-3711
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Novatel Wireless, Inc.