Novatel Wireless Chairman and CEO Peter Leparulo Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award Finalist in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced that Peter Leparulo, chairman and CEO for Novatel Wireless, is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award in the San Diego program.

According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Mr. Leparulo was selected as a finalist from hundreds of nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 3, 2009 at the Hyatt La Jolla Regency.

"The success of Novatel Wireless is attributable to the unparalleled talent of our employees who have relentlessly worked to advance our industry and drive the company to new levels of innovation," said Leparulo. "This is a testament to the accomplishments, ambition, and personal commitment of the entire Novatel Wireless team. It is a great honor for the company to be considered for this prestigious award."

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program celebrates its 23^rd anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 14, 2009. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur of the Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.

In San Diego, sponsors include Marsh, Cox Business, Foundation for Enterprise Development and The Daily Transcript.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G and 4G WCDMA (HSPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless' USB modems, embedded modules, Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products and software enable high-speed wireless Internet access on leading wireless data networks. The Company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more information please visit www.novatelwireless.com. (NVTLG)

ABOUT ERNST & YOUNG'S ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS PROGRAM

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Award is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

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) 2009 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless name and logo 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
Patty Z. Goodwin, Public Relations
858-431-3726
[email protected]

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