CSL Selects 3G UMTS PC Card from Novatel Wireless and Lucent Technologies to Deliver Broadband Mobile Access in Hong Kong

SAN DIEGO, MURRAY HILL, N.J., & HONG KONG, Jan 3, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless (NASDAQ:NVTL), Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU) and CSL, Hong Kong's leading mobile operator, today announced the launch of the Merlin U530(TM) Wireless PC Card Modem, jointly developed by Lucent Technologies and Novatel Wireless.

At speeds of up to 384 kilobits per second, the Merlin U530 provides CSL business and consumer customers with secure high-speed wireless access to email, the Internet, data intensive attachments, multi-media applications and corporate networks. Mobile users can increase productivity by wirelessly connecting from any location within CSL's 3G network. The company is one of four operators in Hong Kong with a 3G license.

"CSL is providing its customers true mobility with the launch of the Merlin U530 UMTS 3G PC Card supplied by Lucent Technologies and Novatel Wireless," said Mike Robey, chief operating officer at Hong Kong CSL. "The Merlin U530 enables CSL to offer business customers streaming services, secure mobile access to corporate networks and other information stored behind corporate firewalls. Connected to CSL's high quality 3G network, mobile users are able to access information, stay connected to partners and clients and remain productive when out of the office, providing a critical competitive advantage."

"With this agreement, Lucent enhanced CSL's 3G UMTS service offerings by supplying CSL's 3G customers with the most convenient way to work away from the office," said Roger Derrien, vice president for UMTS product management at Lucent Technologies. "As a leading mobile operator in Hong Kong, CSL has been a pioneer in the development of the high-speed broadband market throughout the region, and we are pleased to partner with CSL in offering its customers the added convenience of mobility."

"Working with mobile industry leaders like Lucent and CSL, Novatel Wireless is helping to meet the demand for 3G data services in Hong Kong," said Rob Hadley, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Novatel Wireless. "By partnering together, we are providing mobile workers in Hong Kong with high-speed broadband access to the data they need to effectively work outside of the office."

Lucent and Novatel Wireless are the global leaders in UMTS PC Card sales with Merlin UMTS PC Cards available from 14 operators in 17 countries throughout Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America.

ABOUT CSL

CSL is a pioneer in the mobile communications market in Hong Kong. The Company launched its mobile services in 1983, and today operates a world-class GSM / WCDMA network through its mobile brands: 1O1O and One2Free. Pioneer to introduce HSCSD, GPRS, EDGE and MMS, the Company launched 3G and Wi-Fi Service in December 2004.

CSL is 100% owned by Telstra. For more information about CSL, please visit www.hkcsl.com.

ABOUT LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions. Novatel Wireless' Merlin(TM) PC Cards, Expedite(TM) Embedded Modems, Freedom Box(TM) Ruggedized Modems, MobiLink(TM) Communications Software Suite, Ovation(TM) 3G Multimedia Application Consoles and Conversa(TM) Software Suite enable high-speed wireless access to personal, corporate and public information. 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 www.novatelwireless.com (nvtlg)

(C) 2004 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Merlin U530, Expedite, Freedom Box, MobiLink, Ovation, and Conversa 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 www.sec.gov) and other regulatory agencies.

SOURCE: Novatel Wireless, Inc.

Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Kim Haneke, 858-812-0621
619-300-6437 (mobile)
khaneke@nvtl.com
or
Lucent Technologies - Mobility
Kurt Steinert, 973-386-8438
908-285-1641 (mobile)
ksteinert@lucent.com
or
CSL
Vivian Shek, 852-28835029
vivian.yl.shek@hkcsl.com

Copyright (C) 2005 Business Wire. All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX