Sprint and Novatel Wireless™ Introduce Nationwide Wireless LAN/WAN and NDIS Always-On Connectivity for Sprint PCS Connection Card™ by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201™)
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., & SAN DIEGO - July 28, 2004 Sprint (NYSE: FON) and Novatel Wireless (NASDAQ: NVTL) today announced that the Sprint PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201) now comes packaged with Sprint PCS Connection ManagerSM Software with Wi-Fi, providing seamless access to the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network and compatible Wi-Fi ZONES through one convenient client interface. The Merlin C201 by Novatel Wireless also now offers Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) drivers for easy, always-on network access to the wide area network (WWAN). The complete software solution, jointly developed by Sprint and Novatel Wireless, offers mobile customers secure, reliable and continuous access to email, the Internet, Intranets and other corporate applications from Windows® 2000 and XP and Tablet XP laptop computers equipped with a PCMCIA Type II PC Card slot.
Sprint PCSSM Wi-Fi Access - Sprint's high-speed wireless Internet service - is currently available in thousands of locations, including airports, convention centers, hotels, major truck stops and other public venues. With the Sprint PCS Connection Manager Software, customers can travel across the country, detect Wi-Fi ZONES compatible with Sprint service and quickly connect to the Internet or their company networks with the use of a third-party Wi-Fi card or a laptop with embedded Wi-Fi technology.
"We are pleased to extend the seamless integration of Sprint PCS VisionSM and Wi-Fi access to Sprint customers with this popular Sprint PCS Connection Card," explained Wes Dittmer, General Manager of WLAN services at Sprint. "Wi-Fi is an integral part of Sprint's remote access strategy, and we are fostering customer productivity by providing multimegabit wireless data speeds at an ever-growing list of venues that are frequented by mobile employees."
The NDIS drivers, now bundled with the Sprint PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201), automatically establish a connection with the network upon device power up or following suspend and resume, to ensure secure and continuous wireless data access. Certified by Microsoft's Designed for Window XP Logo Program, this simple plug and play functionality provides a quick and simple connection and minimizes the need for user interaction.
All new shipments of the Sprint PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201) include software with both capabilities, and a free download for current customers is available online at www.sprint.com/downloads and www.novatelwireless.com. The Merlin C201 by Novatel Wireless is available at a suggested retail price of $179.99 from Sprint Stores; Sprint business channels, including the Sprint PCS direct sales force; and the Sprint PCS Business SolutionsSM Program.
With a robust internal antenna, the Sprint PCS Connection Card by Novatel Wireless (Merlin C201) minimizes risk of signal breakage and maintains optimal signal strength to maximize connectivity. While connected to the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network that covers 99% of the nation's largest cities, customers can wirelessly access the Internet and corporate applications at data speeds averaging between 50 and 70 Kbps, with peak speeds up to 144 Kbps prior to bandwidth optimization. At speeds up to 11 Mbps, Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access allows users to complete the same high-bandwidth tasks they're used to doing at their desktop PC - including downloading steaming video, sending and receiving emails with large attachments, and maneuvering complex databases and directories an enterprise network - all at remarkable speeds.
"We have a long-standing partnership with Sprint and through our close collaboration have further simplified and enhanced the user experience with wireless connectivity," said Peter Leparulo, CEO for Novatel Wireless. "This powerful software package leverages best-in-class technology to make it more convenient and easier for business professionals to work more efficiently with continuous access to secure corporate information virtually anywhere nationwide while away from the office."
For complete information on Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access, including software tutorials, troubleshooting guides, compatible Wi-Fi equipment and a list of Sprint-supported locations visit www.sprint.com/wifi.
About Sprint
Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 63,000 employees worldwide and over $26 billion in annual revenues in 2003, 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 and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
About Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions. Novatel Wireless' Merlin PC Cards, Expedite Embedded Modems, and Freedom Box Ruggedized Modems enable high-speed wireless access to personal, corporate and public information via portable computers, handheld devices and vertical market applications. The Company delivers innovative 2.5G and 3G solutions to operators, distributors and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on Nasdaq: NVTL.
©2004 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Merlin C201, Expedite and Freedom Box are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.
Some of the information presented in this release, is forward-looking in nature within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Novatel Wireless believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Novatel Wireless' expectations are set forth as risk factors in the Company's SEC reports and filings. Included among these factors are the future demand for wireless access to data, the future growth of wireless wide area networking, changes in wireless transmission standards and technologies, continued acceptance of and market demand for Novatel Wireless' products, dependence on intellectual property rights, dependence on a small number of customers, and the Company's general business and strategy, including plans and expectations relating to technology, product development, strategic relationships, customers, manufacturing, service activities, international expansion, sales initiatives and gross margin and cost containment initiatives. These factors, as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports and filings, could cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Novatel Wireless assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.