Novatel Wireless Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Franklin Wireless and ZTE

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Franklin Wireless Corp., ZTE Corp. and ZTE(USA), Inc. for infringing on five Novatel Wireless' patents related to key architecture and functionality of the MiFi® family of Intelligent Mobile Hotspots. The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

"Novatel Wireless invented the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot and with that created a whole new product category in the wireless ecosystem," said Peter Leparulo, Chairman and CEO of Novatel Wireless.  "We're confident that we will continue to lead the market, but competitors need to rely on their own inventions rather than infringe on ours," Leparulo continued.

Novatel Wireless holds numerous U.S. and international key patents and patent applications around elements of the MiFi Mobile Intelligent Hotspot family of products, a new product category invented by Novatel Wireless.

Since its introduction, Novatel Wireless' MiFi branded products have commercially launched with 25 operators worldwide and have received almost every major industry accolade for innovation.

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 wireless technologies.  Novatel Wireless' Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products, software, USB modems and embedded modules 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)

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) 2010 Novatel Wireless.  All rights reserved.  The Novatel Wireless name and logo and MiFi® are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc.  Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Novatel Wireless, Inc.