Novatel Wireless Announces Type Approval for Merlin G201 Wireless PC Card Modem in Singapore

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - April 16, 2002 - Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, today announced that the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore has granted type approval on the Merlin G201^TM.

The Merlin G201 is a dual band (900/1800) wireless PC Card modem based on GSM/GPRS technology. It is currently being sold in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, and the Netherlands. In Asia, the card is being sold through Brightpoint China in Hong Kong and PRC. With this approval, the Merlin G201 will now be distributed to vendors, network operators, agent dealers, retailers and end-users throughout Singapore. Type approval and operator certification for the Merlin G201 is also in process throughout Europe and other Asian markets.

"As the only true global standard, GSM is the most widely adopted mobile technology in the world today. The Singapore type approval is another major step towards the availability of our Merlin GPRS products throughout Asia and the world," said Ambrose Tam, President and COO of Novatel Wireless. "The Merlin G201 will be available through distributors, carriers, and resellers increasing our market leadership throughout Asia."

ABOUT THE MERLIN G201

The Merlin G201 is a dual band (900/1800) wireless PC Card modem based on GSM/GPRS technology. Slightly larger than a credit card, Merlin G201 slides inside your Type II PC Card slot, providing access to email, corporate databases and the Internet at maximum speeds up to 53.6 kbps over GPRS and 14.4 kbps over GSM. Equipped with a robust removable antenna to enhance portability, the Merlin G201 enables Short Messaging Service (SMS) capabilities allowing users to send and receive text messages for quick person-to-person or group chats from their laptop or handheld device.

With user-friendly DataNet^TM wireless modem manager software, the Merlin G201 uses the familiar Microsoft dial-up connection that allows users to control their connection to the network providing one-step easy connection, saving battery life and time attempting to establish a connection while booting up or when network coverage is not available. Merlin G201 is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, Millennium Edition, XP and Pocket PC 2000 and 2002 operating systems.

The Merlin G201 will offer standard GSM voice capabilities with an upgrade package, allowing calls to be originated on a laptop or Pocket PC. The user will be notified of incoming calls even when in a data session. The Merlin G201 upgrade package includes a wearable headset with differential audio for crisp, clear sound.

ABOUT GSM/GPRS

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a packet switched wireless data network that allows for data to be sent and received using GPRS devices in a more cost efficient and quicker way than was possible over the GSM (Global System for Mobile) cellular system. Asia wireless users will enjoy data potential download rates up to 53.6 kbps over GPRS and up to14.4 kbps via circuit-switched data over GSM. The Merlin G201 GPRS Card operates over the 900/1800 MHz bands for coverage throughout Europe and Asia. GSM service providers around the world are aggressively enhancing their service capabilities through the support of GPRS for packet data.

GPRS wireless technology employs extensive authentication and encryption via standard GSM algorithms, making it one of the most secure public wireless systems in the world. The Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM card), a component of the GSM network, stores the authentication and encryption algorithms, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized users to capture and decipher messages.

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^TM Family of Wireless PC Card Modems, Sage® Wireless Serial Modems, Lancer 3W^TM Family of Ruggedized Modems and Expedite^TM 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.

The Novatel Wireless logo, Minstrel, Merlin, Merlin G201, 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.

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.