Novatel Wireless Announces Pre-Installation of MobiLink(TM) Communications Software Suite in Laptops of Tier-1 OEMs

SAN DIEGO, Oct 04, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced its MobiLink(TM) communications software suite is being pre-installed in a total of 33 laptop platforms of tier-1 laptop manufacturers through June 2007. The Novatel Wireless MobiLink communications software suite is a family of wireless connectivity applications that connect mobile devices with wireless wide area networks (WWAN) to allow quick and easy access to email, the Internet and corporate networks anytime, anywhere. Once pre-installed, the software suite resides as a native application on the particular platform, allowing users to access the advanced features unique to the Novatel Wireless embedded wide area wireless module.

Novatel Wireless' MobiLink communications software suite includes a single connection manager that supports both HSDPA and EV-DO technologies and multiple operators simultaneously in North America and Europe. The Vista-ready connection manager provides key features such as intelligent power management, local customization, over-the-air provisioning and SMS. For the tier-1 laptop manufacturers, this package is a one-stop, end-to-end solution to quickly deploy WWAN-enabled laptops across multiple carriers and technologies.

The pre-installation of Novatel Wireless' MobiLink communications software suite in leading wireless-enabled laptop lines complements the key intellectual property which Novatel Wireless has generated in the embedded module market, which consists of proprietary technology, OEM applications and key features of end-to-end systems.

Novatel Wireless has filed three patent applications and been issued two patents which pioneer the high-speed 3G broadband embedded industry. The patent applications cover a wide range of inventions in the embedded space, including (1) methodologies for automated customization and branding of WAN user interfaces, (2) inventions which relate to remotely accessing WAN enabled laptops to perform device diagnostics, security checks or remote communication tasks, and (3) methodologies for configuring and controlling the operation of embedded wide-area modules to operate in conjunction with local area network (LAN) modules.

Novatel Wireless previously announced that it has secured a patent which consists of a unified interface for modules, enabling OEMs to seamlessly interchange wireless modules to support different communication protocols and air interface standards. This reduces development time and product cost and minimizes time-to-market for OEM manufacturers. The Company was also awarded a patent that covers its innovative, embedded antenna technology. The embedded antenna design is optimized to reduce laptop noise, while maximizing received signal strength from the base station.

"The adoption of our communications software suite by tier-1 OEM customers demonstrates the advantage of Novatel Wireless' first-market-mover status and the deployment of the intellectual property we have generated to address this space. We are very pleased to be able to now provide end-to-end service to our OEM customers and leverage our first round development efforts into long term customized solutions with our OEM partners," said Peter Leparulo, chief executive officer of Novatel Wireless. "We also believe our intellectual property efforts cover key aspects of offering our embedded solutions, including radio frequency modem architectures for embedded modules, provisioning, security, and operation configuration for wireless mobile laptop computing. These initiatives give us a competitive advantage not only because of the feature sets they provide, but also because they cover key aspects of supporting embedded wireless technologies."

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is revolutionizing wireless communications. The company is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G WCDMA (HSDPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless' Merlin(TM) PC Cards and ExpressCards, Expedite(R) Embedded Modules, MobiLink(TM) Communications Software Suite, Ovation(TM) Fixed Mobile Convergence Products and Conversa(TM) Software Suite enable high-speed wireless access. The company delivers innovative 3G solutions to operators, distributors and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more information visit www.novatelwireless.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) 2006 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Expedite, MobiLink, Ovation and Conversa are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Novatel Wireless, Inc.

Novatel Wireless
Julie Cunningham, 858-320-8837 (Investor Relations)
[email protected]
or
The Blueshirt Group, Investor Relations
Chris Danne, Rakesh Mehta, 415-217-7722
[email protected]
[email protected]
or
Townsend Inc. for Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Liya Sharif/Wanda Soler, 858-457-4888 (Media)
[email protected]
[email protected]

Copyright Business Wire 2006

News Provided by COMTEX