Novatel Wireless Delivers Merlin U740(TM): HSDPA-Enabled Data Card

SAN DIEGO, Sep 29, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced it has made initial shipments of the Merlin U740 High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)-enabled PC Data Cards to European carriers. The Merlin U740 is designed to operate on HSDPA networks as coverage becomes available from the carriers. The PC Data Card is backward compatible with existing UMTS networks in Europe and Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution (EDGE) networks worldwide. Novatel Wireless has received purchase orders for commercial volume shipments for the Merlin U740, which it expects to begin before the end of 2005.

The flexible architecture of the Merlin U740 allows carriers to launch it as either a UMTS/EDGE PC card, Web-upgradeable to HSDPA over the Internet, or as an HSDPA product, depending on their network deployment strategy. Novatel Wireless has reliably deployed Web-upgrade technology in its products since 2001, streamlining the upgrade cycle to next-generation products for operators and end-users alike.

With speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps, HSDPA offers a viable alternative to landline cable and DSL connections, with the added freedom of mobility. Remote workers are able to send and receive email, surf the Internet and securely access corporate networks with Novatel Wireless' Merlin U740 PC Data Card. Other benefits offered by the Card include accessing advanced multi-media applications, video conferencing, downloading data-intensive attachments and streaming audio and video. Providing wireless network connectivity from virtually any location worldwide, the Merlin U740 will allow users to increase productivity, stay connected to clients and co-workers and gain a competitive advantage. The Merlin U740 will also operate on UMTS 2100 MHz bands in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, in addition to EDGE and GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 MHz bands across the globe.

"We have worked with leading 3G operators to ensure development of easy-to-use and differentiated solutions to guarantee a high quality user experience through the evolution of network standards," said Peter Leparulo, chief executive officer at Novatel Wireless. "HSDPA marks an important technological advance for our industry and we are pleased to be providing our customers with the Merlin U740."

Novatel Wireless is the global leader in UMTS PC Data Card sales, with Merlin UMTS PC Cards available from 24 operators in 28 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

ABOUT HSDPA

High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is an enhancement to the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) with the goal of enabling packet data transmission in the WCDMA downlink with theoretical speeds of up to 10 Mbps. HSDPA can be implemented as an upgrade to existing infrastructure, enhancing network performance without the capital expenditures burden of overlaying an entirely new radio network. HSDPA implementations include Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Hybrid Automatic Request (HARQ), fast cell search and advanced receiver design.

HSDPA is standardized as an element of the 3GPP Release 5 WCDMA specification and provides a two-fold improvement in network capacity to provide data speeds up to five times faster than UMTS. Release 5 specifications focus on HSDPA to provide data rates up to approximately 10 Mbps that enables support of packet-based multi-media services like video conferencing over your cell phone or video phone. Shorter network latency and better response times are also enabled by the technology upgrade, allowing time-dependent applications, like live video streaming and multi-player gaming, to perform more effectively. MIMO systems are in Release 6 specifications, which will support even higher data transmission rates up to 20 Mbps. HSDPA evolved from and is backward compatible with Release 99 WCDMA systems.

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, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ:NVTL. For more information on Novatel Wireless visit www.novatelwireless.com. (nvtlg)

(C) 2005 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.

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

Copyright Business Wire 2005

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