Verizon Wireless and Novatel Wireless Launch EV-DO Rev. A USB Modem

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and SAN DIEGO, Feb 01, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable national wireless broadband network, and Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced the Feb. 2 availability of the USB720, the first CDMA 1x Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) USB wireless modem from Verizon Wireless. The compact USB720 wireless modem is compatible with all the latest notebooks, desktops and handhelds via an industry standard USB interface.

"With the USB standard available in virtually all computing devices in the marketplace, the USB720 offers Verizon Wireless customers the tremendous flexibility of using a USB port for wireless connectivity," said Rob Hadley, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Novatel Wireless. "Providing Verizon Wireless' first EV-DO Rev. A USB modem shows Novatel Wireless' commitment to developing the most advanced and valuable wireless broadband access solutions. We are pleased that Verizon Wireless has selected us as a supplier for EV-DO Rev. A products."

In conjunction with this announcement of the USB720, Verizon Wireless today announced enhancements to its network to provide BroadbandAccess customers with the increased speeds of Rev. A technology in portions of Illinois, Florida, Massachusetts, Utah and Virginia. Customers in Verizon Wireless' enhanced wireless broadband coverage areas will typically experience average download speeds of 450-800 kilobits per second (kbps) and average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps. To the busy professional, the enhanced speeds will translate into the ability to download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment -- the equivalent of a small PowerPoint(R) presentation or a large PDF file -- in less than 15 seconds and upload the same size file in less than 25 seconds.

The USB720 is highly compact, measuring 3.52 x 1.49 x .69 inches (89.5 x 38 x 17.6 mm) and weighing a mere 1.6 ounces (45 g). The modem is also fully compatible with the Verizon Wireless' enhanced and existing wireless broadband networks and the company's NationalAccess network (based on CDMA 1xRTT technology). The modem has an advanced dual band diversity antenna system design with an integrated flip antenna, which maximizes performance and strengthens network signal reception. The USB720 works seamlessly with the Enterprise edition of VZAccess Manager software and supports Windows(R) (2000, XP, and Vista), and Mac OS X.

Customers in Rev. A enhanced coverage areas who purchase the new USB720 and who are current subscribers to BroadbandAccess will enjoy the new improved speeds immediately -- there are no additional charges. Customers with a Verizon Wireless voice plan of $39.99 or higher may sign up for unlimited BroadbandAccess with the new Rev. A speeds for an additional $59.99 monthly access. For customers without a voice plan, BroadbandAccess is available for $79.99 monthly access.

The USB720 is $149.99 with a new two-year customer agreement or $199.99 with a new one-year customer agreement. The USB720 is available immediately through Verizon Wireless' business sales channels and online at http://www.verizonwireless.com. The device will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, inclusive of those in Circuit City, on Feb. 20.

For more information on Verizon Wireless data services, including BroadbandAccess and the USB720 wireless modem, customers can contact a Verizon Wireless business sales representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4-BIZ.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 59 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 65,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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, visit http://www.novatelwireless.com. (NVTLG)

Novatel Wireless and the Novatel Wireless logo are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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 http://www.sec.gov) and other regulatory agencies.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

Brenda Boyd Raney of Verizon Wireless, +1-908-559-7518,
[email protected]; or Liya Shariff or Natasha Grach, both of Townsend
Inc., +1-858-457-4888, [email protected], for Novatel Wireless, Inc.

http://www.verizonwireless.com

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