Novatel Wireless Forms Strategic Alliance with YadaYada

Novatel Wireless, Inc., a San Diego-based provider of wireless data modems and software, today announced a strategic alliance with YadaYada, Inc., a wireless service provider and mobile web portal founded to provide personalized wireless Internet access to mobile users with personal digital assistants.

The cobranding agreement will provide YadaYada customers with Novatel’s Minstrel V wireless handheld modems for the Palm V, and Minstrel S wireless springboard modems for the Handspring Visor. Minstrel modems employ Cellular Digital Packet Data technology, a method of transmitting data over the cellular voice network at speeds up to 19.2 kbps that is deployed in most U.S. metropolitan areas and some international markets. New York-based YadaYada is one of the first wireless Internet service providers to offer a complete bundled Cellular Digital Packet Data wireless package for the Handspring Visor Platinum.

The alliance with Novatel Wireless is expected to enhance YadaYada’s integrated wireless offerings and reinforce its brand name throughout the wireless market. With the cobranded Minstrel modems, YadaYada can market a complete suite of wireless products and services in combination with its browsing software that enable users to access nearly every web site on the Internet from their personal digital assistants.

“Mobile professionals and consumers will now be able to use Novatel Wireless’ Minstrel wireless modems to access YadaYada’s mobile web portal or effortlessly visit web sites from the palm of their hands,” said Howard Wright, YadaYada’s director of business strategy.

“Novatel Wireless is pleased to partner with YadaYada to provide consumers and business professionals with real-time wireless Internet access from their handheld devices,” said Greg Robins, worldwide director of channel sales for Novatel Wireless. “Our Minstrel family of wireless modems, bundled with YadaYada’s service, provides a compelling wireless mobile computing alternative for today’s busy professional.”

Novatel Wireless is a leading provider of wireless data modems and software for use with handheld computing devices and portable personal computers. The company also offers wireless data modems and custom engineering services for hardware integration projects in a wide range of vertical applications.