Novatel Uses Qualcomm Chips

SAN DIEGO -- QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, today announced that Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless data access solutions, has selected the MSM6200T Mobile Station Modem (MSMT) chipset and system software for the development of third-generation (3G) wireless PC card modems. The Novatel Wireless MerlinT 3G Family of Wireless PC Card Modems is being jointly developed with Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) under an agreement announced in August 2002. These multimode, multiband wireless PC card modems based on Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks are being designed for the emerging 3G markets in Europe and North America.Novatel Wireless is the first company to license the MSM6200 chipset for PC Card implementation. A highly integrated, single-chip multimode solution, the MSM6200 chipset and system software support the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode of UMTS - also known as WCDMA - as well as GSM and GPRS."After evaluating a variety of options, we selected QUALCOMM's chipset to enable us to bring high-quality, robust UMTS devices to market quickly," said Ambrose Tam, president and CTO for Novatel Wireless. "We found the QUALCOMM solution to have a high degree of integration and, combined with its small footprint and low power consumption, believe it will provide the best development platform for low-cost, high-capacity wireless PC Card modems."Novatel Wireless intends to fuel the rapid introduction of 3G high-speed data solutions to global wireless operators. Third-generation UMTS modem cards will enable secure access to critical business and personal productivity applications such as e-mail and company databases, as well as providing high-speed Intranet and Internet connectivity. Qualcomm Inc.Novatel Wireless Inc.