Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a provider of wireless data access solutions, today announced its first commercial shipment of the Merlin C201(TM) Wireless PC Card Modem to Monet Mobile Networks. Novatel Wireless' first shipment is based upon a two-year supply agreement with Monet Mobile Networks, which includes the Merlin C201 and future 1xEV-DO home access terminals and PC card modems. The Merlin C201 is based on CDMA2000 1X technology and connects users to the Internet at data rates up to 153.6 kbps.
"Novatel Wireless is an industry leader in the development of CDMA2000 1X technology," said Amit Mehta, vice president of corporate development for Monet Mobile Networks. "The Merlin C201 is a critical component in our wireless services strategy and partnering with Novatel Wireless will allow us to deliver fast, mobile access to the complete Internet."
"Commercially shipping the Merlin C201 is a significant milestone for Novatel Wireless and the industry, demonstrating that we are achieving our corporate objectives to deliver next generation products using 3G technologies like CDMA2000 1X," said Peter Leparulo, senior vice president of CDMA operations for Novatel Wireless.
Monet Mobile Networks' CDMA2000 1X platform supports data transmission speeds up to twice the speed of dial-up. The network will be upgraded to 1xEV-DO, which will support access speeds up to 2.4 Mbps, significantly enhancing data throughput rates for wireless Internet users.

About Merlin C201

The Merlin C201(TM) is a single band (1900 MHz) wireless PC card modem based on CDMA2000 1X technology. Slightly larger than a credit card, Merlin C201 slides inside your Type II PC Card slot, providing access to email, corporate databases and the Internet at maximum speeds up to 153.6 kbps in CDMA2000 1X coverage areas and 14.4 kbps in IS-95A coverage areas. Equipped with a built-in antenna for maximum network coverage and enhanced portability, the Merlin C201 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 devices.
With user-friendly Wireless Modem Manager software, the Merlin C201 provides the flexibility of using a dial-up connection or a Quick Net Connect (QNC) that allows for faster network connections. Merlin C201 is compatible with Windows 98, 2000, and Millennium Edition laptops.

About CDMA2000 1xRTT

CDMA2000 is the name used by the Telecommunications Industry Association to refer to Third Generation CDMA (3G). The Third Generation of mobile communications (3G) is a concept outlined in a set of proposals called International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT2000), to define an "anywhere, any time" standard for the future of universal personal communications. The CDMA path to 3G is through CDMA2000 1X, then on to 1xEV-DO and 1xEV-DV. The first phase of CDMA2000, also known as 1X, enables operators with existing IS-95 systems to double overall system capacity yielding data rates up to 153.6 kbps.
CDMA wireless technology employs extensive authentication and identification system to provide security. The Mobile Identification Number (MIN) and Electron Serial Number (ESN) together with CDMA spread spectrum technology make it virtually impossible for unauthorized users to capture and decipher messages.