Novatel Wireless PC Card for Cingular's 3G HSDPA Network

US : Novatel Wireless announced the availability of its Merlin U730 High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) Wireless PC Card Modem to support the launch of Cingular Wireless' initial 3G network launch.

The Merlin U730 gives Cingular Wireless customers data access to the first commercial HSDPA network in America. With average speeds between 400 and 700 kilobits per second and bursts over a megabit, business professionals can conveniently access email including large attachments, connect to corporate networks and applications via VPNs, and surf the Internet.

Due to the Merlin U730's backward compatibility, the card works not only on Cingular's newly launched HSDPA network but also on Cingular's nationwide EDGE network, and in more than 90 countries where Cingular has EDGE and GPRS roaming agreements. As Cingular expands its HSPDA network, subscribers using the Merlin U730 can automatically connect without having to purchase a new PC card, additional hardware or upgrade rate plans.

"Through Cingular's close relationship with Novatel Wireless, and based on the company's high-quality Merlin line of PC Card Modems, our decision to sell its new HSDPA cards was an easy one to make," said Jeff Bradley, vice president for Cingular's business markets group. "By teaming up with Novatel Wireless, Cingular has the opportunity to provide the most advanced data card solutions for new and existing customers."

"We are excited to be a part of the first HSDPA network launch in America, and it's a great testament to our technology that we were selected to provide the initial PC data cards for this rollout," said Peter Leparulo, CEO of Novatel Wireless. "Novatel Wireless will continue to work closely with its partners to ensure advanced high-speed broadband solutions are available for both mobile enterprise users and consumers."

Pricing and Availability

The Novatel Wireless Merlin U730 is available from Cingular for as low as $99.99 based on a two-year, unlimited Data Connect plan. Cingular's unlimited use Data Connect rate plan is on special offer for $59.99 for qualified customers through December 31, 2005.

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