Novatel Wireless Continues Market Leadership with Newly Awarded Patents for Wireless Broadband Data Access; Marking Its 30th Patent, Adding to Strong Portfolio of Intellectual Property

SAN DIEGO, Jun 12, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced it has secured two new broadband data access wireless patents, helping the company to continue to pioneer the high-speed 3G broadband industry.

The first patent consists of a unified interface for modules, enabling OEMs to seamlessly interchange wireless modules to support different communication protocols and air interface standards. This not only reduces development time, but also reduces product cost and minimizes the time-to-market for OEM manufacturers.

Today's incompatible data communication systems and protocols create problems for wireless module manufacturers because they are faced with designing a separate interface for each module type. In addition, different portable computing devices may require the module to have a specific form factor and define a different Application Protocol Interface (API) for communication between the mobile device and the wireless interface. As a result, OEMs may have to design a separate module for each type of communication protocol and portable solution. This duplication creates excess cost for the manufacturer and makes changing or upgrading modules difficult for the user. Novatel Wireless' multi-platform patent allows wireless modules to become standardized in several key areas, including form factor, hardware interface and API.

Novatel Wireless was also awarded a patent that covers its innovative, embedded, antenna technology. Novatel Wireless was first in the industry to launch WAN PC Cards equipped with this technology. The embedded antenna design is optimized to reduce laptop noise, while maximizing received signal strength from the base station. In addition, a rugged housing design is used to host the antenna, thus eliminating the hassle of loose or broken pieces.

"Our company, through its Novatel Research Labs, continues to drive wireless innovation with these latest patents, showing the value Novatel Wireless places in growing a rich portfolio of Intellectual Property," said Dr. Slim Souissi, chief technology officer at Novatel Wireless. "Our revolutionary wireless module patent allows OEMs to reduce hardware costs by interchanging modules across different technologies. The company also continues to introduce the most advanced embedded antenna technology available on the market. With 30 patents under our belt, Novatel Wireless will continue to focus on developing cutting edge wireless broadband solutions that benefit OEMs, enterprises and end-users across the world."

ABOUT NOVATEL RESEARCH LABS

Novatel Research Labs is an unincorporated research arm and honorarium of Novatel Wireless, which promotes inventions at Novatel Wireless and in the telecommunications industry, administers Novatel Wireless' intellectual property rights, and sponsors technical publications and white papers. Novatel Research Labs also awards two fellowships, Edwin Armstrong Fellowships and Ernest Shackleton Fellowships, on the basis of intellectual property attainment in connection with Novatel Wireless' intellectual property program.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

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, Merlin U630, Merlin U530, 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, Inc.

LEWIS PR for Novatel Wireless
Aida Causevic, 619-516-2559
or
Noah Dye, 831-685-1070
[email protected]

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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