O2 Selects Lucent Technologies And Novatel Wireless To Supply 3G UMTS PC Cards To Support Mobile High-Speed Data Services

LONDON AND SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) and Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL) today announced an agreement with O2 to supply the Merlin U530 third-generation (3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Wireless PC Card Modems -- jointly developed by Lucent and Novatel Wireless -- to support O2's commercial 3G service launched in the UK. This announcement follows O2 Germany's decision to deploy the cards as part of its commercial 3G services launch in July 2004.

The Merlin U530 will enable O2 to offer business customers services such as streaming video and audio, secure mobile access to corporate networks including e-mails with large attachments -- and other information stored behind corporate firewalls -- at speeds of up to 384 kilobits per second.

"We extended our agreement with Lucent and Novatel Wireless to support our UK rollout based on the success of our launch in Germany," said Hugh Griffiths, Head of Data Products and Services from O2 UK. "We were very pleased with the flexibility and features of the Novatel Wireless Merlin U530 cards, particularly in terms of network interoperability. Lucent also offered the experience and expertise required to ensure the smooth integration of these cards within our existing infrastructure." "This agreement demonstrates the strength of our continued partnership with O2 as the operator rolls out high speed data services across Germany and the UK," said David Poticny, president, Lucent Europe. "By using the 3G UMTS data cards to deliver high-speed data services, O2 will be able to ensure that they meet the mobile office needs of their business customers right from the start. O2 also will benefit from Lucent's experience working with enterprises to define and optimize 3G UMTS services to meet their business needs."

"We appreciate this opportunity to support O2's 3G UMTS service launch to enterprise customers," said Rob Hadley, vice president of sales for Novatel Wireless. "This collaboration with Lucent and O2 demonstrates the momentum growing behind our mobile high-speed data solutions, and the progress being made in bringing commercial 3G UMTS services to European customers."

About O2

O2 aims to enrich customer's lives by enabling them to get the most from their mobile. As a leading provider of mobile services to consumers and businesses in the UK, O2 offers a range of services including text, media messaging, games, always on data connections (via "GPRS"), music over mobile and mobile video. O2 is the UK market leader in mobile data services such as text, with three quarters of a billion messages being sent by O2 customers each month.

O2 was formed in 2001 following the demerger from British Telecom of its former mobile business, BT Wireless. O2 (UK) Limited is a subsidiary of mmO2 plc which also delivers O2 branded services in Ireland and Germany. O2 has over 13.5 million customers in the UK.

ABOUT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions. Novatel Wireless' MerlinTM PC Cards, ExpediteTM Embedded Modems, Freedom Box Ruggedized Modems and MobiLink Communications Software Suite enable high-speed wireless access to personal, corporate and public information via portable computers, handheld devices and vertical market applications. The company delivers innovative 2.5G and 3G solutions to operators, distributors and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL.

© 2003 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Merlin U530, Expedite, Freedom Box and MobiLink are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. 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.

Emily Baxter
Lucent Technologies - Europe
+44 (0)20 7318 1044 - Office
+44 (0)7803 278 821 - Mobile
[email protected]

Kurt Steinert
Lucent Technologies - Mobility
+1 973-386-8438 - Office
+1 908-285-1641 - Mobile
[email protected]

Kim Haneke Novatel Wireless, Inc.
+1 858-812-0621 - Office
+1 619-300-6437 - Mobile
[email protected]

Louie St Claire O2 +44 (0) 0783 4093217 - Office [email protected]