Novatel Wireless Targets 3G Wireless Developer Community with New Embedded Modem for CDMA2000 1X Applications

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – March 17, 2003 – Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, today announced first commercial shipments of the Expedite C201(TM) Wireless Embedded Modem as well as a multi-technology developer's kit to aid in streamlining the migration to 3G networks. Based on core components of the proven Merlin C201(TM) Wireless PC Card Modem, the new Expedite C201(TM) is certified for use on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, as part of PCS Telemetry ServicesTM from Sprint. The modem has two separate firmware options to enable high-speed wireless data access at peak speeds of up to 144 kbps in CDMA2000 1X or 14.4kbps in IS-95A circuit switched coverage areas.

The Expedite C201 is a single wireless component ideally-suited for integration into industrial and mobile devices to enable wireless applications such as telemetry, inventory monitoring, automated banking, vending machines, vehicle tracking, security, point of sale and more. Complete with SMS text messaging, the Expedite C201 can also enhance laptop computers, handheld devices, tablet PCs, and smart phones with high-speed access to the Internet, email, corporate networks, calendars, tasks and contact information.

The Expedite C201 is a versatile, easy to integrate modem for OEM product designers developing new wireless applications or needing a streamlined upgrade path to the more robust capabilities of high-speed 3G networks.

"We applaud Novatel Wireless for developing a CDMA2000 1X solution to address the needs of our large vertical and OEM customer base," said Phil Bowman, vice president of business marketing for the PCS Division of Sprint. "The Expedite C201, combined with the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, will allow wireless developers to create and automate the most secure, high-speed wireless applications for a variety of industrial markets and machine to machine communications."

Key integration advantages of the Expedite C201 include:

• Security – CDMA technology employs an extensive authentication and encryption process
• Power-saving sleep mode – ensures energy conservation for portable applications
• Field Upgradeable Firmware – minimizes life cycle costs while enabling remote firmware upgrades

The multi-technology developer's kit includes:

• One Expedite C201 Wireless Embedded Modem
• Integration board with standard 24-pin connector, PCMCIA connector and 70-pin Uniface(TM) connector that enables testing between CDPD, GPRS and CDMA modems
• PCS Antenna
• AC adapter
• Technical Documentation
• Access to Novatel Wireless engineering support for integration expertise, certification guidance and critical information on network/operator support

Expedite modems based on the 2G CDPD network are already widely used in consumer, industrial and enterprise-focused applications. With the introduction of the Expedite C201 module and the multi-technology developer's kit, Novatel Wireless intends to ease the migration path for OEMs looking to cost-effectively upgrade their wireless data systems from CDPD to CDMA2000 1X 3G networks.

"The Expedite C201 together with our developer's kit offers OEM developers a streamlined upgrade path to secure, high-speed wireless and data applications," remarked Peter Leparulo, CEO of Novatel Wireless. "Mobile devices with integrated CDMA2000 1X technology will expand the capabilities of consumer, industrial and vertical wireless applications. Our combined solution is designed to accelerate the migration for these customers to more robust next generation solutions."

For more information and pricing on the Expedite C201 and multi-technology developer's kit contact Rob Hadley at 858-320-8827 or visit the Novatel Wireless website at www.novatelwireless.com.

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 Merlin(TM) Family of Wireless PC Card Modems, Expedite(TM) Family of Wireless Embedded Modems, Minstrel^® Family of Wireless Handheld Modems, Lancer 3W(TM) Family of Ruggedized Modems and Sage^® Wireless Serial 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, Expedite C201, 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, 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.