Novatel Wireless Supplies Vodafone Portugal with Quad Band PC Card Modem; Merlin U630 Allows Subscribers to Wirelessly Access the Internet, Email and Corporate Data from across the Globe

SAN DIEGO, Apr 13, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced it has supplied Vodafone Portugal with its Merlin U630(TM) Wireless PC Card Modem. Using the Merlin U630, Vodafone Portugal's customers can have wireless high-speed broadband access worldwide.

The Merlin U630 provides wireless broadband connectivity on UMTS 2100 MHz bands in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East and GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 MHz bands across the globe. The Vodafone Mobile Connect Card enables remote workers to send and receive emails with large attachments, access the Internet and download files at speeds up to 384 kilobits per second. While out of the office, mobile workers can retrieve corporate data stored behind firewalls through a virtual private network (VPN) connection, offering increased security, convenience and productivity, as well as a competitive advantage.

"Due to its large experience in the development of broadband access solutions, Novatel Wireless was selected by Vodafone Portugal to co-supply our current PC Card Modems," said Sofia Mendes, marketing director at Vodafone Portugal. "The Merlin U630 has passed Vodafone Portugal's quality tests being considered a high-speed broadband access solution that enables users to stay connected from virtually anywhere at any given time, meeting customer demand."

"Novatel Wireless is continuing to expand its presence across the globe with the recent addition of Vodafone Portugal," said Rob Hadley, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Novatel Wireless. "Quad band data cards bring a whole new dimension to high-speed data access, enabling wireless subscribers to connect not just within their current cellular networks, but across the world. Novatel Wireless will continue to develop advanced, convenient 3G solutions, allowing wireless operators to meet their growing customer demands."

Novatel Wireless is the worldwide leader in UMTS PC Card sales with Merlin UMTS PC Cards available from 15 operators in 18 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

ABOUT VODAFONE PORTUGAL

Vodafone Portugal is part of the Vodafone Group, the world leading mobile phone company. It offers a complete range of mobile telecom services, including voice and data communications to around 3.6 million registered customers. It pioneered UMTS services in the beginning of 2004 and is recognized as the most innovative and customer-oriented operator in the Portuguese mobile market and one of the best international cellular operators. Visit our site at www.vodafone.pt.

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

(C) 2005 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Merlin U630, Expedite, 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  
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Copyright Business Wire 2005

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