Novatel Wireless and PCTEL Enable Seamless Roaming Capability Across Wireless LAN and WAN Networks
Wi-Fi Roaming Client and Merlin PC Card Modems Deliver Unparalleled Mobility
SAN DIEGO, CA and Chicago, IL – August 27, 2002 – Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, and PCTEL, Inc. (Nasdaq:PCTI), a leading provider of access technology, today announced a product collaboration whereby PCTEL’s Wi-Fi Roaming Client will be offered as an option with all Novatel Wireless GPRS and CDMA 1X Merlin PC Card modems. The combined mobile data solution, paired with any Wi-Fi certified 802.11a or b client card, enables users to access the Internet, email, personal information and corporate databases while roaming between 802.11a or b and GSM/GPRS or CDMA 1X network coverage areas.
The combination of seamless WAN and WLAN access in this innovative product offering delivers a powerful competitive advantage to wireless service providers and their customers who can economically and effectively use their high-speed packet data network, while intelligently switching users to Wi-Fi networks for localized access. This permits GPRS and CDMA carriers to leverage the national footprint of their well-established networks, and manage capacity issues by utilizing a higher bandwidth Wi-Fi (802.11a or b) network where available. From the user's perspective, the transition across networks is transparent, allowing them to initiate a wireless modem connection from either network and enjoy uninterrupted connectivity within the collective coverage areas.
“Mobile users want the convenience of wide area cellular coverage but they demand high bandwidth in local environments such as airports, businesses and other hot spots,” said Marty Singer, PCTel's chief executive officer and chairman. “Our Wi-Fi Roaming Client, coupled with Novatel Wireless' high-performance Merlin PC Cards, deliver just that to the mobile data user community.”
“This is a breakthrough solution for mobile professionals who need consistent, high speed connectivity wherever their business or personal use takes them,” stated John Major, chairman and chief executive officer of Novatel Wireless. “The partnership with PCTEL marks our company’s first foray into the growing wireless LAN market, and allows us to harness and aggregate the benefits of multiple wireless data networks for our customers.”
As part of a three-year license agreement, Novatel Wireless will offer the Wi-Fi Roaming Client as an optional configuration with its high-speed wireless data cards and integrate it with its user-friendly Merlin Modem Manager software -- which provides users with complete information about the PC card’s performance and network connection status. Novatel Wireless and PCTEL distribution partners will begin offering the multi-mode wireless data solution in Fall 2002. For more information, please visit novatelwireless.com or call 1-888-888-9231.
ABOUT PCTEL
PCTEL, founded in March 1994, is a leading provider of innovative and cost-effective Internet access solutions. PCTEL's products include analog soft modems, DSP-based modems and WLAN hardware and software products, in particular, software that enables 802.11 roaming. The company is built upon a wide-ranging and comprehensive portfolio of more than 80 analog and broadband communications and wireless patents, issued or pending, including the key and essential patents for Host Signal Processing (HSP) modem technology. The company's products are sold to PC manufacturers, PC board and card manufacturers, wireless carriers, wireless ISPs, and system integrators. For more information, please visit our web site at: http://www.pctel.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 Minstrel® Family of Wireless Handheld Modems, Merlin Family of Wireless PC Card Modems, Sage® Wireless Serial Modems, Lancer 3W Family of Ruggedized Modems and Expedite 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.
© 2002 Novatel Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Minstrel, 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.
Novatel Wireless Safe Harbor Statement
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.
PCTEL Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, these statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the competitive advantages that may result from the combination of the seamless WAN and WLAN access in the new mobile data products, the potential benefits to wireless service providers and their customers resulting from this product introduction, business prospects relating to the pairing of PCTEL's Roaming Client and Novatel Wireless' Merlin G301 GPRS Wireless PC Card Modem, and the anticipated availability of the products. These statements are based on PCTEL's current expectations and anticipated customer benefits, and product capabilities may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, PCTEL's and Novatel Wireless' ability to successfully market, sell and support the mobile data solution that combines PCTEL's Wi-Fi / GPRS Roaming Client with Novatel Wireless' Merlin G301 GPRS Wireless PC Card Modem; potential errors or other problems with the products of either company; potential delays in product availability; the ability of such products and the solution to achieve market acceptance; compatibility with the technology of other wireless products and services, including the products and services offered by competitors and potential competitors; PCTEL 's ability to forecast customer requirements; competition from other providers of wireless technology, including joint development efforts by other technology companies; and pricing uncertainties with respect to these products and related products and services. The risks and uncertainties in the company's business, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in PCTEL's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, can affect results. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and PCTEL disclaims any obligation to update or revise the information contained in any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.