Novatel Wireless CEO Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist; Peter Leparulo Recognized as Entrepreneurial Business Leader in the San Diego Wireless Industry

Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced that CEO Peter Leparulo has been named a finalist for the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards for the San Diego region. Leparulo was selected from nearly 100 nominations by a panel of independent judges consisting of area leaders from business, academic and civic organizations. Winners will be announced at an awards banquet on June 14, 2005 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year award was created by Ernst & Young to recognize outstanding individuals on a regional, national and ultimately global level. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Its solutions enable the mobile workforce to increase productivity, improve operational efficiencies and maintain a competitive edge.

"Entrepreneur Of The Year award finalists embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and determination needed to achieve success," said Niki Krutop, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for San Diego. "Ernst & Young is proud to recognize and support these leaders and their companies."

"We are extremely honored to have our company recognized in this way. It is a true measure of the excellence, energy and dedication put forth by the entire Novatel Wireless team every day," said Peter Leparulo, CEO at Novatel Wireless. "Novatel Wireless has a unique vision for the future of our industry, and we are grateful to be recognized by Ernst & Young for the innovation and commitment it takes to succeed in achieving that vision."

About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Program

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions. Novatel Wireless' Merlin(TM) PC Cards, Expedite(TM) Embedded Modems, Freedom Box(TM) Ruggedized Modems, MobiLink(TM) Communications Software Suite, Ovation(TM) 3G Multimedia Application Consoles and Conversa(TM) Software Suite enable high-speed wireless access to personal, corporate and public information. 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) 2005 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Merlin U630, Expedite, 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

LEWIS PR for Novatel Wireless
Katie Assar/Noah Dye, 619-516-2559
[email protected]

Copyright Business Wire 2005

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