Novatel Wireless Announces Selection of QUALCOMM's HSDPA Solution for Development of Wireless Broadband Data Devices for Markets Worldwide

CANNES, France, Feb 14, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced the selection of QUALCOMM's (Nasdaq:QCOM) MSM6275(TM) Mobile Station Modem (MSM(TM)) chipset and system software for the development of a portfolio of High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) broadband data devices. Novatel Wireless plans to introduce its first integrated HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE device in the second half of 2005.

Novatel Wireless will expand its portfolio of Merlin(TM) Wireless PC Card Modems with the Merlin U730(TM) and Merlin U740(TM) supporting multimode, multi-band wireless wide area access on HSDPA networks in markets worldwide. Using QUALCOMM's MSM6275 chipset, the Merlin U730 will operate on 850 and 1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA networks in North America, while the Merlin U740 will operate on 2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA networks in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Both cards will enable speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps and will be backward compatible to 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) networks for wireless data access worldwide.

Mobile workers will not only be able to send and receive email, surf the Internet, and securely access corporate networks with Novatel Wireless' Merlin HSDPA PC Cards, but also access advanced multi-media applications, video conference, download data intensive attachments, and stream audio and video. With speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps, HSDPA offers a viable alternative to landline cable and DSL connections, with the added freedom of mobility. Providing wireless network connectivity from virtually any location worldwide, the Merlin U730 and Merlin U740 will allow users to increase productivity, stay connected to clients and co-workers and gain a competitive advantage.

"QUALCOMM is committed to broadening the availability of robust data applications through our wide variety of next generation wireless solutions," said Dr. Sanjay K. Jha, president of QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "Novatel Wireless' selection of our HSDPA chipsets and system software will expand the availability of high-quality, advanced multimedia devices with broad market appeal."

"We selected QUALCOMM's HSDPA chipset to enable us to meet demand from our operator customers for high-quality, robust broadband devices and bring them to market quickly," said Dr. Slim Souissi, chief technology officer for Novatel Wireless. "Interest in our HSDPA product development has been strong. As wireless broadband services continue to grow in acceptance worldwide, we are providing mobile operators with innovative data solutions that enable them to leverage the cost effective delivery of the most advanced data services made possible by HSDPA and provide a significant competitive advantage with the ability to increase long term revenue. Novatel Wireless is pleased to continue its long-term partnership with QUALCOMM to deliver more compelling and convenient fixed line alternatives."

ABOUT HSDPA

High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is an enhancement to the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) with the goal of enabling packet data transmission in the WCDMA downlink with theoretical speeds of up to 10 Mbps. HSDPA can be implemented as an upgrade to existing infrastructure, enhancing network performance without the capital expenditures burden of overlaying an entirely new radio network. HSDPA implementations includes Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Hybrid Automatic Request (HARQ), fast cell search, and advanced receiver design.

HSDPA is standardized as an element of the 3GPP Release 5 WCDMA specification and provides a two-fold improvement in network capacity to provide data speeds up to five times faster than UMTS. Release 5 specifications focus on HSDPA to provide data rates up to approximately 10 Mbps that enables support of packet-based multimedia services like video conferencing over your cell phone or video phone. Shorter network latency and better response times are also enabled by the technology upgrade, allowing time-dependent applications, like live video streaming and multi-player gaming, to perform more effectively. MIMO systems are in Release 6 specifications, which will support even higher data transmission rates up to 20 Mbps. HSDPA evolved from and backward compatible with Release 99 WCDMA systems.

ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS

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 on Novatel Wireless visit www.novatelwireless.com (NVTLG).

(C) 2005 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Merlin U730, Merlin U740, 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
Kim K. Haneke, 858-812-0621
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