Lucent, Novatel team for next-gen wireless modems

By SUSAN RUSH
From CED Broadband Direct, August 14, 2002

Lucent Technologies Inc. has teamed with wireless data modem provider Novatel Wireless Inc. to develop next-generation wireless modems that will enable users to use their laptops or PDAs to access the Internet and their corporate networks via 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks.

The deal calls for Novatel Wireless to develop multi-mode, multi-band UMTS/GPSR wireless PC card modems. And, for its part in the partnership, Lucent will contribute research, development and marketing support.

The wireless cards will enable users to access secure company applications such as e-mail, company databases and internal Web applications from their laptops and PDAs with the same level of security they have while at the office, according to the companies.

The International Telecommunications Union predicts that over the next ten years, the UMTS market will be worth more than 1 trillion dollars to mobile operators.

"Our aim is to promote the rapid adoption of mobile high-speed data solutions worldwide," says John Major, Novatel Wireless chairman and CEO. "This agreement allows us to speed the development of next-generation products while also enabling carriers throughout the world to quickly introduce advanced data services using Lucent and Novatel Wireless technology," he says.

Separately, in an SEC filing Lucent said the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark, N.J. is investigating a $125-million software licensing agreement between the company and Winstar Communications Inc. Lucent said the deal, not the company, is the target of the investigation. Lucent first reported irregularities in the deal to the SEC in Nov. 2000. Winstar has since declared bankruptcy, and its assets were snatched up by IDT Corp. in Dec. 2001.

The telecom giant said it is cooperating fully with the investigation.