Novatel Wireless Showcases 3.6Mbps Data Call with Alcatel at 3GSM

SAN DIEGO, Feb 08, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced it will demonstrate a 3.6Mbps (megabits per second) HSDPA data call with Alcatel (Paris:CGEP.PA) (NYSE:ALA) in the Alcatel booth at 3GSM World Congress 2006 in Barcelona (Hall 8 -- Booth A09). The data call will consist of a wireless link between Alcatel's Evolium(R) HDSPA-enabled Node B and Novatel Wireless' Merlin U870 PC Card Modem.

The Merlin U870 is Novatel Wireless' second-generation High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) PC Card Modem, which provides accelerated speeds of up to 3.6Mbps, i.e. twice the industry's current 1.8Mbps data rates. This data throughput is made possible by the support of the 16QAM modulation (Category 6). The product also works on the 800, 1900 and 2100 MHz HSDPA bands in North America and Europe, making it a global roaming card. The card is backward compatible with currently deployed data network technologies, including Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

"We are pleased to extend our relationship with Novatel Wireless to our joint 3.6 data call demonstration at 3GSM," said Philippe Keryer, president of Alcatel's mobile radio access activities. "This demonstration reinforces Alcatel's strategy based on multi-standard evolutionary solutions, and highlights the software upgradeability of Alcatel's 3G/UMTS-based HSDPA/HSUPA solution."

"This 3.6 Mbps data call reinforces Novatel Wireless' commitment to leading development and deployment of advanced wireless broadband solutions," said Peter Leparulo, chief executive officer for Novatel Wireless. "With a long-standing partnership with Alcatel in place, we are confident our solutions will further advance the wireless broadband market, delivering top-of-the-line performance."

Novatel Wireless has the broadest data product portfolio on the market, including PC Cards, mini-PCI modules and Ovation consoles. The diversified product portfolio addresses the mobile enterprise market, the embedded laptop market and the fixed-mobile convergence market. Novatel Wireless was first to commercialize UMTS PC Cards both in Europe and North America. The company's Merlin PC Data Cards have been sold by 41 operators in 32 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

About Alcatel

Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 13.1 billion and 58,000 employees in 2005, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com

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, 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, 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 for Novatel Wireless
Aida Causevic / Noah Dye, 619-516-2559
[email protected]

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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