Novatel Wireless Merlin G201 Granted Type Approval for Australia and Malaysia

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – August 26, 2002 – Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, today announced that its Merlin G201^TM dual band GPRS PC card modem has been granted type approval from both the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (CMC), the top regulatory bodies for telecommunications and radio communications in those countries, respectively.

The Merlin G201 is a dual band (900/1800) wireless PC Card modem based on the GSM/GPRS standard for use in both voice and data applications. Currently sold in eleven major European markets, and Israel, the Merlin G201 is being marketed throughout the Asia/Pacific Rim region. The company has established distribution channels in Singapore, Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China. Novatel Wireless is partnered with distribution leader Mobiltron China Ltd., who will bundle the Merlin G201 with value-added services in Australia through AlphaNet Pty. Ltd., a leading telecommunications service provider.

“By partnering with Novatel Wireless and marketing the Merlin G201 modem, we are able to meet the demand for high speed wireless data access for laptop and mobile device users throughout Australia,” stated Willie Lo, Director at AlphaNet Pty. Ltd. “Leveraging the extensive GPRS coverage of major networks like Telstra’s, MobileNet, and Optus, we expect to deliver a much faster, cost-effective wireless data solution to business and mobile professionals who need always-on, roaming access.”

An array of wireless service providers and infrastructure equipment manufacturers in Australia and Malaysia have upgraded their existing GSM infrastructure with high speed GPRS packet data technology over the last few years. Malaysian GPRS carriers include Cellcom, Digi, Maxis and Time Wireless; Australian GPRS carriers include C&W Optus, Telstra and Vodaphone.

“With ACA and CMC type approval, we are very pleased to offer a high-speed GPRS PC card solution in both Australia and Malaysia,” remarked Ambrose Tam, president and CTO of Novatel Wireless. “This is another step toward our goal of making our high quality products available throughout the Pacific Rim.”

ABOUT THE MERLIN G201 The Merlin G201 is a dual band (900/1800) wireless PC Card modem based on GSM/GPRS technology. Slightly larger than a credit card, Merlin G201 fits into a Type II PC Card slot and provides access to email, corporate databases and the Internet at maximum speeds of up to 53.6 kbps over GPRS and 14.4 kbps over GSM. Equipped with a robust removable antenna to enhance portability, the Merlin G201 provides Short Messaging Service (SMS) capabilities allowing users to send and receive text messages for quick person-to-person or group chats from their laptop or handheld device. The Merlin G201 offers voice capability over the GSM network allowing users to make and receive calls from a laptop or Pocket PC device. Merlin G201 is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, Millennium Edition, XP and Pocket PC 2000 and 2002 operating systems.

ABOUT GSM/GPRS GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a packet switched wireless data network that allows for data to be sent and received using GPRS devices more quickly and cost-effectively than was possible over the GSM (Global System for Mobile) cellular system. Wireless users can download data at up to 53.6 kbps over GPRS and up to14.4 kbps via circuit-switched data over GSM. GSM service providers around the world are aggressively enhancing their service capabilities through the support of GPRS for packet data. GPRS wireless technology employs extensive authentication and encryption via standard GSM algorithms, making it one of the most secure public wireless systems in the world. The Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM card), a component of the GSM network, stores the authentication and encryption algorithms, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized users to capture and decipher messages.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC. Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless data modems and software for use with handheld computing devices and portable personal computers. The company delivers innovative and comprehensive solutions that enable businesses and consumers to access personal, corporate and public information through email, enterprise networks and the Internet. Novatel Wireless also offers wireless data modems and custom engineering services for hardware integration projects in a wide range of vertical applications. The Novatel Wireless product portfolio includes the Minstrel^® Family of Wireless Handheld Modems, Merlin^TM Family of Wireless PC Card Modems, Sage^® Wireless Serial Modems, Lancer 3W^TM Family of Ruggedized Modems and Expedite^TM Family of Wireless Embedded Modems. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: NVTL). For more information, please visit the Novatel Wireless web site: www.novatelwireless.com or call 888-888-9231.

^© 2002 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Minstrel, Merlin, Merlin G201, Sage, Lancer 3W and Expedite are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Minstrel and Sage are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

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. 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. These factors include risks relating to technological changes, 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 and other regulatory agencies.