Novatel Wireless and Panasonic Equip Toughbooks with Highspeed, 3G Broadband Wireless Technology; Users of Toughbook Notebooks Can Connect Virtually Anywhere with Embedded 3G HSDPA Wireless Technology

SAN DIEGO & FRANKFURT, Germany, Jul 11, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Novatel Wireless (NASDAQ:NVTL), a wireless broadband solutions provider, and Panasonic Computer Products Europe today announced that they have joined forces to embed Novatel Wireless' Expedite EU740 PCI Express Mini Card Embedded Module in Panasonic's Toughbook CF-18 notebook computers. This development brings 3G HSDPA 2100 MHz technology to Panasonic notebook users in Europe.

Users of Panasonic's Toughbook CF-18 notebook computers embedded with Novatel Wireless' Expedite EU740 wireless module, will be able to stream high-speed audio and video, as well as download data intensive files and multimedia applications. Novatel and Panasonic will continue to work together to integrate Novatel's wireless 3G modules into other notebooks in the Toughbook product line.

"Expanding our strategic partnership with a leading laptop manufacturer, such as Panasonic, into Europe is another milestone for Novatel Wireless," said Peter Leparulo, chief executive officer for Novatel Wireless. "The ongoing success of our partnership reflects the healthy growth of the embedded module market worldwide and reconfirms Novatel Wireless' leadership position in the industry. Our mission is to continue delivering compact, reliable and cost-effective solutions to customers worldwide."

The Toughbook CF-18, commercially available in Europe immediately, is the first model available with the Expedite EU740 HSDPA/UMTS 2100MHz module. This product offers 3G connectivity with speeds up to 1.8 Mbps. The Expedite EU740 is also backward compatible on GSM, GPRS, and EDGE networks to allow for coverage in areas where HSDPA technology is unavailable.

Panasonic's Toughbook CF-18 notebook is a maximum-performance notebook PC that transforms into a handwriting-friendly tablet PC. It provides the user with the ability to take handwritten notes, mark and edit documents and draw diagrams, as well as convert handwriting to printed text.

"We recognise the need of our business customers for fast and reliable wireless connections while on the road or working in remote areas," said Dr Herbert Fischer, Chief Technical Officer at Panasonic Europe. "By embedding Novatel Wireless' modules into our platforms, we ensure that our notebooks feature the high-quality products Panasonic is known for. We look forward to further expanding our offering by including Novatel Wireless' modules in additional notebooks."

In the second half of 2006, additional models of the Toughbook will be available with optional 3G embedded modules. Novatel and The Toughbook CF-30 and CF-74 as well as the "Toughbook light" series (models T5/W5/Y5) will be the first notebooks in Panasonic's mobile computer range that will be available with Novatel embedded modules that support the wireless broadband modes HSDPA and EDGE.

For further information go to http://www.toughbook-europe.com

Printable photos are available at: http://www.toughbook-europe.com/ENG/image_archive.aspx

User: OutdoorNotebook
Password: TOUGHBOOK

Panasonic's principles are firmly rooted in the philosophy of the company's founder Konosuke Matsushita. He laid the foundation for the global corporation back in 1918, setting up the company Matsushita Electric (later Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) in Osaka/Japan. Today, the corporation is the leading Japanese manufacturer of high-tech electronic products in the entertainment, household and microelectronics sectors, communication technology and the industrial sector, mainly sold under the brand name Panasonic.

The Matsushita Group generated 76.02 billion dollars sales (= 8.894 billion Yen) in the 2005/2006 fiscal year ($ 1.000 = 117 Yen), and employs some 335 000 people around the world. The group is present in 44 countries, with 628 subsidiaries in the production, sales, finance and research sectors.

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is revolutionizing wireless communications. The company is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G WCDMA (HSDPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless' Merlin(TM) PC Cards, Expedite(R) Embedded Modules, MobiLink(TM) Communications Software Suite, Ovation(TM) 3G Multimedia Application Consoles and Conversa(TM) Software Suite enable high-speed wireless access. 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) 2006 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless logo, Merlin, Expedite, Expedite EV620, 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 Media Contact
Carolyn McCartney, 858-320-8822
[email protected]
or
Panasonic Publicis Consultants
Emma King/Tom Granger, 020 7462 7766
Fax: 020 7462 7967
[email protected]
[email protected]

Copyright Business Wire 2006

News Provided by COMTEX