Slovenia's First Quad Band 3G UMTS PC Card

Europe : Novatel Wireless announced a supply agreement to provide its Merlin U630 PC Data Cards to Mobitel, a national mobile telecommunications carrier in Slovenia. Novatel Wireless will offer Mobitel's subscribers the country's first quad band Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) PC Card, enabling worldwide access to wireless high-speed broadband.

Using the Merlin U630, Mobitel's 3G customers can access data on UMTS 2100 MHz bands in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East and GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 MHz bands across the globe. The PC Card allows mobile workers to wirelessly access email, the Internet and corporate networks stored behind firewalls. With speeds up to 384 kilobits per second, users can remain in contact with customers, partners and co-workers while out of the office. The Merlin U630 enables businesses to increase productivity and efficiency, while gaining a competitive advantage.

"As an early adopter in building Mobitel's 3G network, we are once again taking the lead in offering Slovenia's first worldwide PC Card," said Danilo Tomsi, Head of Corporate Market Division at Mobitel. "Novatel Wireless is a pioneer in developing advanced, high-speed wireless PC Cards, and we are pleased to work with the company to increase our subscribers' mobile connectivity options. The Merlin U630 makes broadband access from any location at any time a reality for Mobitel customers."

"Mobitel is truly a 3G leader when it comes to building a comprehensive network and providing cutting-edge data services," said Rob Hadley, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing at Novatel Wireless. "This partnership further extends Novatel Wireless' global reach, enabling remote workers to use a single card for access to UMTS services across multiple networks and continents. Novatel Wireless is the first and only PC Card provider to offer quad band connectivity worldwide."

Mobitel has a 73 percent market share in the Slovenian mobile telecommunications industry. It is the only Slovenian carrier to introduce 3G UMTS services. Novatel Wireless is the global leader in UMTS PC Card sales with Merlin UMTS PC Cards available from 23 operators in 27 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

ABOUT MOBITEL

Mobitel is a national mobile telecommunications carrier in Slovenia, offering state-of-the-art services to both domestic and foreign users and a selection of high-quality mobile handsets. The Slovenian mobile telecommunications market is one of the most developed in the European Union, with 94 percent of the population using some form of mobile communication. Satisfied customers, employees and owners of the company are at the center of Mobitel operations. Mobitel is committed to social responsibility, working closely with the community as well as providing stimulating working environment to its employees.