OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – April 1, 2003 – Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS), which operates the largest all-digital, all-CDMA Third Generation (3G) wireless network in the United States, HP (NYSE: HPQ), and Novatel Wireless (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, today announced a promotional offer that leverages their complementary IT and wireless assets. Business customers who purchase a Compaq Evo notebook PC or HP iPAQ Pocket PC 3900 series will be eligible for a limited time offer that includes a free PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201), free activation and waived monthly service charges for the first month if they sign up for a PCS VisionSM Plan for laptops and PDAs with a 2-year PCS Advantage Agreement.
This offer is available to customers who purchase a Compaq Evo notebook or HP iPAQ pocket PC 3900 series between March 26, 2003 and June 22, 2003, with activation of the PCS Connection Card through Sprint Telesales at 1-877-510-3375 no later than Sept. 22, 2003. The promotion is aimed at providing a simple and convenient solution for mobile professionals to turn down-time into productive time.
“Sprint recognizes the value in aligning with IT leaders and solution providers like HP and Novatel Wireless to better serve our business customers. We have developed a promotional offer that leverages our complementary assets, resources and distribution strengths in an effort to help drive the adoption of wireless data,” said John Garcia, senior vice president of marketing, sales and distribution for the PCS Division of Sprint. “Combining an HP notebook or iPAQ and PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless designed for the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network is a natural fit for mobile Sprint, HP and Novatel Wireless Leverage IT and Wireless Strengths to Create Innovative Offer Aimed at Boosting Productivity of Mobile Professionals professionals that want to take their office with them. This simple solution allows for high-speed wireless access to information and corporate applications that can help companies increase productivity, reduce costs, enhance customer satisfaction and create a competitive advantage.”
“HP, Sprint and Novatel Wireless are committed to delivering innovative solutions that address the critical needs of growing businesses,” said Robyn West, vice president of SMB sales and marketing, HP Personal Systems Group. “As emerging enterprises look for ways to make the employees more productive and offer them tools for getting work done when they are away from the office, our new wireless promotion with Sprint and Novatel Wireless is an affordable solution that provides service and support.”
The PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201) is a PCMCIA card with a built-in antenna designed for easy installation and operation on the CDMA2000 3G1X network built by Sprint. In August 2002, Sprint launched the largest nationwide coverage for advanced applications and devices as part of PCS VisionSM services. Using a Vision-enabled PCS Connection Card, customers can quickly and easily access the Internet or their corporate applications such as email on a laptop or select handhelds at data speeds averaging 50 to 70 Kbps, with peak speeds of 144 Kbps via the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network.
“Working together with industry leaders like HP and Sprint in a radically different way creates a streamlined wireless data solution, driving more rapid adoption of our products,” said Peter Leparulo, chief executive officer, Novatel Wireless. “This compelling package gives enterprises and professionals a low cost of entry to start enjoying the benefits of a mobile wireless office anywhere on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network.”
With their respective expertise in the IT and telecom sectors, HP, Sprint and Novatel Wireless are providing a complete turnkey solution that is easily deployed on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. With 25 years of experience in telecommunications networks, HP provides the building blocks enterprises need to create a mobile infrastructure including networking software, powerful servers, storage and devices such as Pocket PCs and notebook PCs. In addition to being a total communications provider, Sprint has the largest 3G footprint in the United States, an innovative selection of smart devices, applications such as PCS Business Connection for wireless access to company email, and simple pricing plans. Novatel Wireless is a leader in wireless embedded and PC Card modem design and engineering and has garnered positive reviews on the PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201) in many leading publications such as
Barron’s, Laptop Magazine, Mobile Business, Pocket PC Magazine, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
PCS Vision Plans for Laptops and PDAs range from $40 per month for 20 megabytes of data to $100 per month for unlimited data using a PCS Connection Card. HP customers who purchase an Evo notebook or HP iPAQ pocket PC 3900 series can also get a free PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201) if they sign up for a 1-year PCS Advantage Agreement with a $99.99 unlimited PCS Vision Plan for Laptops and PDAs. This option does not include free activation or waiver of the first month’s monthly recurring charge. The promotional offer is in effect until June 22, 2003. Further details on the offer can be found on the HP web site at
http://www.smb.compaq.com/HTML/sprint/index.asp.
About HP
HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its acquisition of Compaq Computer Corporation on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.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 Family of Wireless PC Card Modems, Expedite Family of Wireless Embedded Modems, Minstrel
® Family of Wireless Handheld Modems, Lancer 3W 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.
About Sprint
Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 72,000 employees worldwide and nearly $27 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States’ first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local voice and data services in 18 states and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States.
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. 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. 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 and other regulatory agencies.
Media Contacts:
Suzanne Lammers, Sprint, 913-762-7039
[email protected]
James Barnes, HP, 281-514-6990
[email protected]
Kim Haneke, Novatel Wireless, 858-812-0621
[email protected]