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O2 Takes 3G Merlin PC Card

30th September, 2004

Europe : Lucent Technologies and Novatel Wireless announced an agreement with O2 to supply the Merlin U530(TM) third-generation (3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Wireless PC Card Modems -- jointly developed by Lucent and Novatel Wireless -- to support O2's commercial 3G service launched in the UK. This announcement follows O2 Germany's decision to deploy the cards as part of its commercial 3G services launch in July 2004.

The Merlin U530 will enable O2 to offer business customers services such as streaming video and audio, secure mobile access to corporate networks including e-mails with large attachments -- and other information stored behind corporate firewalls -- at speeds of up to 384 kilobits per second.

"We extended our agreement with Lucent and Novatel Wireless to support our UK rollout based on the success of our launch in Germany," said Hugh Griffiths, Head of Data Products and Services from O2 UK. "We were very pleased with the flexibility and features of the Novatel Wireless Merlin U530 cards, particularly in terms of network interoperability. Lucent also offered the experience and expertise required to ensure the smooth integration of these cards within our existing infrastructure."
"This agreement demonstrates the strength of our continued partnership with O2 as the operator rolls out high speed data services across Germany and the UK," said David Poticny, president, Lucent Europe. "By using the 3G UMTS data cards to deliver high-speed data services, O2 will be able to ensure that they meet the mobile office needs of their business customers right from the start. O2 also will benefit from Lucent's experience working with enterprises to define and optimize 3G UMTS services to meet their business needs."

"We appreciate this opportunity to support O2's 3G UMTS service launch to enterprise customers," said Rob Hadley, vice president of sales for Novatel Wireless. "This collaboration with Lucent and O2 demonstrates the momentum growing behind our mobile high-speed data solutions, and the progress being made in bringing commercial 3G UMTS services to European customers."

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