Novatel Wireless Announces Senior Management Additions; Newly Created Positions for Europe and Corporate Investor Relations

SAN DIEGO, Jul 18, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVTL) today announced two new additions to the company's management team. Mr. Peter Balchin has joined the company in the newly created position of General Manager of Europe and will head cross-organizational operations in Europe.

Mr. Balchin brings to Novatel Wireless over 20+ years of senior management experience in the telecommunications industry. Prior to joining Novatel Wireless, he served as President of EMEA operations for Airwide Solutions Inc., a mobile software company, Vice President and General Manager of Nortel Networks broadband technology division in Europe, and Chief Executive Officer of Telint Global GmbH, a voice and data network service operator in partnership with regional cable television and internet service providers. Mr. Balchin has also held senior positions at Silicon Graphics, Motorola, Hewlett-Packard and Narad Networks.

Novatel Wireless also is pleased to announce that Ms. Julie Cunningham has joined the company as Investor Relations Officer. In this role, Ms. Cunningham will be responsible for the company's strategic and day-to-day investor relations and corporate communications. Prior to joining Novatel, Ms. Cunningham was Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at QUALCOMM Incorporated, where she was responsible for investor relations, communications and public relations during its rapid growth. Ms. Cunningham has 20 years experience in investor relations and corporate, financial and regulatory communications, and extensive relationships with large-, mid- and small-cap investors and equity analysts, and national and international media.

"We're thrilled to have Peter and Julie join the Novatel team in senior management positions," said Peter Leparulo, chief executive officer of Novatel Wireless. "Each of them brings vast experience in their respective areas, to very important roles, as we focus on expansion of our presence in the European market and building company infrastructure with the most talented, energetic and accomplished industry leaders."

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 W CDMA (HSDPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless' Merlin(TM) PC Cards, Expedite(R) Embedded Modules, MobiLink(TM) Communications Software Suite, Ovation(TM) 3G Multimedia Application Consoles 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)

(C) 2006 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Expedite, Expedite EV620, Freedom Box, MobiLink, Ovation and Conversa are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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.

SOURCE: Novatel Wireless, Inc.

Novatel Wireless, Inc.      
Carolyn McCartney, 858-361-8647               
[email protected]

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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