Novatel Wireless and Sprint Unveil Plans for 3G1X PC Card that Enables High-Speed Wireless Connectivity via Sprint's Third Generation Nationwide PCS Network
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. & OVERLAND PARK, KAN. - May 15, 2002 - Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, and Sprint (NYSE: PCS), the fastest-growing all-digital, all-PCS voice and data wireless network, today announced plans to co-brand and jointly market the PCS Connection CardTM by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201TM). The 3G1X compatible PC card will be available this summer in conjunction with the nationwide launch of Sprint's Third Generation Wireless Network.
The PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless is designed to enable high-speed, seamless wireless access to the Internet and corporate applications including e-mail, contacts and calendar functions via Sprint's Third Generation Wireless Network. The enhanced network is expected to launch nationwide this summer, and will support data transmission speeds of up to 144 kbps, with average speeds of 50 to 70 kbps.
"With the growing number of mobile workers and proliferation of laptops and handhelds in the marketplace today, Sprint recognizes the opportunity to help individuals and companies create their own Sprint PCS Clear Wireless WorkplaceÒ solutions. As we approach the nationwide launch of our 3G wireless network, smart devices such as the PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless become very powerful productivity tools," said Jay Highley, vice president, business marketing for Sprint's wireless division. "The new 3G capable device will enable customers to wirelessly access the Internet, as well as their critical personal and corporate information in real time at speeds faster than today's dial-up connections. The clarity and nationwide coverage of Sprint's all-digital network combined with always-on 3G capabilities will clearly change the way people work, live and play while on the move."
The new smart device will be an integral part of the Sprint PCS Clear Wireless Workplace. This diverse portfolio of products and services are aimed at providing end-to-end, customized solutions for enterprise customers to wirelessly extend corporate applications to the mobile workforce to increase productivity, enhance customer satisfaction, reduce costs and create a competitive advantage.
"We are delighted to partner with Sprint to offer advanced wireless solutions to their fast growing customer base," said Peter Leparulo, senior vice president, CDMA operations, Novatel Wireless. "Sprint's Third Generation Network, combined with the integrated capabilities of the Merlin C201, will provide mobile professionals and individuals with secure, high-speed nationwide access to corporate applications and a rich Internet browsing experience, increasing productivity while they are away from the office and home."
The two companies will work together to educate customers about the specific features and functionality of the new 3G1X PC card and the capabilities of Sprint's 3G network. Further information regarding specific product features, capabilities and pricing will be announced when the product is available later this summer.
For more information on Sprint products and services, please visit www.sprint.com/mr.
ABOUT SPRINT
Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 80,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 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. Sprint's award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of scalable IP products. Sprint's high-capacity, high-speed network gives customers fast, dependable, nonstop access to the vast majority of the world's Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas, including more than 4,000 cities and communities.
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 Minstrel® Family of Wireless Handheld Modems, MerlinTM Family of Wireless PC Card Modems, Sage® Wireless Serial Modems, Lancer 3WTM Family of Ruggedized Modems and ExpediteTM Family of Wireless Embedded 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.
The Novatel Wireless logo, Minstrel, Merlin, Merlin G201, Sage, Lancer 3W and Expedite are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Minstrel and Sage are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 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.