Sprint Expands Mobile Broadband Portfolio with Novatel Wireless 2-in-1 USB Modem

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & SAN DIEGO, Sep 27, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sprint (NYSE:S) and Novatel Wireless, Inc., (Nasdaq:NVTL) a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced the commercial availability of the Ovation(TM) U727 USB Modem. Carrying the distinction of being the world's smallest EV-DO Rev. A modem stick, the Ovation U727 features an integrated microSD(TM) slot, allowing for the seamless storage and transport of up to 4GB of files, photos or videos.

The Ovation U727 is designed to work with any computing device equipped with Type A USB ports, including most desktops, notebooks, tablet PCs and PDAs, to provide instant on-the-go mobile broadband access. With out-of-box support for a variety of operating systems including Windows(R) (Vista, XP, 2000), Mac OS(R) X and Linux, the Ovation U727 enables users to surf the Web, check email and access important business documents with speeds similar to those of a cable or DSL connection.

"Mobile professionals and consumers alike want to make the most out of whatever equipment they carry and Sprint customers get maximum value from the Ovation U727 which delivers both high-speed access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and the ability to store and access documents and other critical information," said Danny Bowman, vice president of customer equipment for Sprint. "A smaller form factor, GPS locate-and-find capabilities and newly available support for the Linux platform truly help make this a next-generation connectivity device for our customers."

Optimized for the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, the Ovation U727 supports EV-DO Rev. A technology where available providing average download speeds from 600 kbps to 1.4 Mbps (with peak speeds of 3.1 Mbps) and upload speeds from 350 to 500 Kbps (with peak speeds of 1.8 Mbps), offering users unprecedented performance and notably faster speeds than legacy mobile data modems. The Ovation U727 is also backwards compatible for EV-DO Rev. 0 and 1XRTT technology in areas where EV-DO Rev. A coverage is not yet available.

"Novatel Wireless and Sprint have worked closely to develop mobile broadband solutions that meet the everyday needs of the end user," said Brad Weinert, president, Novatel Wireless. "With the launch of the Ovation U727, Sprint customers can now take full advantage of the next-generation speed and functionality of the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network."

Featuring an extremely durable design and remarkably small form factor, the U727 combines a variety of innovative features, including an integrated dual band diversity antennae system with flip-up antennae to maximize data speed performance and provide for stronger network signal reception. Sprint Mobile Broadband Lite Manager Software is included to simplify set-up and navigation through the vast feature set of the Ovation U727, eliminating the need to install drivers from a CD when using the Windows platform.

Beginning next month, the U727 will be sold through Sprint indirect and business sales channels and online at www.sprint.com for a suggested retail price of $279.99 and as low as $79.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and mail-in-rebate. Sprint retail stores will begin offering the device later this year. Service plans for the card currently range from $39.99 per month for 40 MB to $79.99 per month for unlimited data usage. Customers signing a two-year subscriber agreement will be eligible to receive unlimited data usage for $59.99 per month (no separate voice plan required).

ABOUT SPRINT NEXTEL

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving 54 million customers at the end of the second quarter 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is revolutionizing wireless communications. The company is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G WCDMA (HSDPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless' Merlin(TM) PC Cards and ExpressCards, Expedite(R) Embedded Modules, MobiLink(TM) Communications Software Suite, Ovation(TM) Fixed Mobile Convergence Products and Conversa(TM) Software Suite enable high-speed wireless access. 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 please visit www.novatelwireless.com. (NVTLG)

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.

(C) 2007 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Expedite, MobiLink, Ovation and Conversa are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Sprint Nextel

Nadel Phelan
Mike Kelly
831-440-2403
[email protected]
or
Sprint, Media Relations
Amy Schiska-Lombard
913-568-5248
[email protected]

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