Novatel Wireless Receives ISO 9001:2000 Certification

Recognition of compliance with globally accepted standards to ensure products meet or exceed customer expectations

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - September 21, 2004 - Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced that it has received the globally-recognized ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2000 certification. ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards for Quality Management Systems.

Doing business with an ISO certified company ensures that internal quality systems are in place to consistently produce quality products and continually improve performance through the analysis of quality processes and customer feedback. The ISO 9001:2000 standard gives Novatel Wireless the opportunity to increase the value of its products and improve performance by having its quality management systems tightly linked to major processes. Certification can result in a competitive advantage and typically speeds up products' time to market. Further benefits of ISO certification may include greater quality awareness, improved operational efficiency and higher quality solutions.

The ISO 9000 family of standards represents an international consensus on good management practices with the aim of ensuring that an organization delivers products that meet or exceed customers' quality requirements. ISO 9001 sets out the requirements for an organization whose business processes range from design and development to production, installation and servicing.

"Obtaining ISO certification exemplifies Novatel Wireless' commitment to developing quality products that go above and beyond our customers' requirements by complying with globally accepted standards," said Patrick O'Bright, Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Novatel Wireless, Inc. "This will enable Novatel Wireless to enter other markets which often require ISO certification in order to forge partnerships. We are pleased to be awarded with this prestigious certification and look forward to continuing our leadership in the 3G data access space."

About Novatel Wireless, Inc.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions. Novatel Wireless' Merlin PC Cards, Expedite Embedded Modems, Freedom Box Ruggedized Modems enable high-speed wireless access to personal, corporate and public information via portable computers, handheld devices and vertical market applications. 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.

© 2004 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Expedite, Freedom Box and Freedom Box 200G 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, 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.

Contacts:
Kim Haneke
Director of Marketing
Novatel Wireless
(858) 812-0621
[email protected]

Katie Assar/Noah Dye
LEWIS PR
For Novatel Wireless
(619) 516-2559
[email protected]