Telefonica Espana First to Launch Novatel Wireless MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 16, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Telefonica Espana andNovatel Wireless, Inc., (Nasdaq:NVTL) a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced that Telefonica Espana will be the first mobile operator worldwide to launch the MiFi 2352 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot on their high-speed HSPA data network.

The MiFi 2352 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot represents a new category of mobile broadband device, which supports a rich application environment for both enterprise customers and consumers. Unlike previous wireless router solutions that require an external broadband modem and serve only to provide connectivity, the MiFi family of products supports GPS and creates an easily portable, personal cloud of high-speed Internet connectivity that can be shared between multiple users and up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, MIDs, UMPCs, smartphones, cameras, gaming devices or portable media players. MiFi provides freedom from WiFi hotspots, allowing you to bring Internet access with you and share that access with your personal set of Wi-Fi devices.

Among the key attributes of MiFi 2352 is an on-board Linux based operating system capable of delivering mobile software applications and media. These advanced capabilities add to the intelligence of MiFi and will enable future support for applications such as automatic VPN connectivity and automatic email synch. The combination of internal (ROM) storage, up to 16 GB of expandable memory via MicroSD and on-board GPS capabilities make MiFi 2352 a flexible and robust platform capable of supporting a variety of location-based applications and enabling the storage of personal content such as music, video and pictures.

An internal battery provides up to four hours of active use and forty hours standby on a single charge. MiFi 2352 will enable Telefonica subscribers to access high-speed Internet from anywhere there is a cellular connection, including moving vehicles or trains. MiFi 2352 delivers unprecedented performance with upload and downlink speeds that meet or exceed those of traditional USB or cable modems.

"We are very pleased to be the first mobile network operator to launch MiFi in Spain," said Luis Ezcurra, director of Terminals and Multimedia, Telefonica Espana. "This innovative device offers a host of capabilities supporting the growing demand for HSPA mobile data products in Europe. The introduction of MiFi strengthens our broad portfolio of mobile products, enabling us to provide customers a variety of leading solutions to meet their connectivity needs."

Dramatically improving the user experience, MiFi does not require any type of installation or previously installed software. Users simply need to turn on MiFi and any of the handsets or devices they wish to connect which have been configured for wireless Internet access. The MiFi 2352 is operating system independent with the ability to connect any device that supports the Wi-Fi standard. Installation requires no more than inserting an active Telefonica SIM card and turning on the device. With one touch to power on MiFi, users will be able to detect the mobile Wi-Fi cloud using any device configured for Wi-Fi and quickly connect up to five devices within a 10-meter radius.

"With Telefonica's leading services and MiFi, Telefonica's customers will receive unprecedented functionality and access for their wireless devices," said Rob Hadley, senior technical advisor for Novatel Wireless. We are very pleased to partner with Telefonica to deliver the most advanced wireless data ecosystem available for our combined customers."

ABOUT TELEFONICA

Telefonica is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies by market cap. Its activities are centred mainly on the fixed and mobile telephony businesses, while its broadband business is the key growth driver underpinning both. It operates in 25 countries and its customer base exceeds 252 million globally. Telefonica's growth strategy is focused on the markets in which it has a strong foothold: Spain, Europe and Latin America.

Telefonica is a 100% private company. It has more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital consists of 4,704,996,485 ordinary shares traded on the continuous market on the Spanish Stock Exchanges (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those of London, Tokyo, New York, Lima, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G and 4G WCDMA (HSPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless' USB modems, embedded modules, Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products and software enable high-speed wireless Internet access on leading wireless data networks. The Company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, OEMs 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.

^© 2009 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless name, logo and MiFi are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Mobile World Congress, (Telefonica Booth# 8B178-8, Novatel Booth# AV52-A)

SOURCE: Novatel Wireless

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or
Novatel Wireless
Novatel Wireless, Patty Goodwin, 858-431-3726
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or
Nadel Phelan
Mike Kelly, 831-440-2403
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