UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549





FORM 10-Q







|x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

OR



| ̈ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
|- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the transition period from                      to
                    .

Commission file number: 000-31659





NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



|                                                               |  |                                     
|-------------------------------------------------------------- |  | ------------------------------------
|Delaware                                                       |  | 86-0824673                          
|(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
|                                                               | 
|9645 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA                              |  | 92121                               
|(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                       |  | (Zip Code)                          

Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (858) 812-3400

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No  ̈

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has
submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  ̈ Yes  ̈ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



|                          |  |                     |  |                                               |  |                            
|------------------------- |  | ------------------- |  | --------------------------------------------- |  | ---------------------------
|Large accelerated filer  ̈ |  | Accelerated filer x |  | Non-Accelerated filer  ̈                       |  | Smaller reporting company  ̈
|                          |  |                     |  | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |  |                            

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes  ̈ No x

The number of shares of the
registrants common stock outstanding as of May 7, 2009 was 30,431,782.









---

As used in this report on Form 10-Q, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms we,
us, our, the Company and Novatel Wireless refer to Novatel Wireless, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. These forward-looking statements include statements that reflect the views of our
senior management with respect to our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Novatel Wireless and our industry. Statements that include the words may, could, should, would,
estimate, anticipate, believe, expect, preliminary, intend, plan, project, outlook, will and similar words and phrases identify
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as of the date of this
report. We believe that these factors include the following:



| |  |  | the impact of uncertain global economic conditions on the demand for our products;
| | - |  | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our ability to compete in the market for wireless broadband data access products;
| | - |  | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our ability to introduce and sell new products that comply with evolving industry standards, including 3G standards;
| | - |  | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships to expand into new markets;
| | - |  | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our dependence on a small number of customers for a substantial portion of our revenues;
| | - |  | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | demand for broadband wireless access to enterprise networks and the Internet;
| | - |  | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | the outcome of pending or future litigation, including the current class action securities litigation and intellectual property litigation;
| | - |  | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | the impact of the current global credit crisis on the value and liquidity of the securities in our investment portfolio;
| | - |  | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our ability to properly manage the growth of our business to avoid significant strains on our management and operations and disruptions to our business;
| | - |  | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our reliance on third parties to manufacture our products;
| | - |  | ----------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our ability to accurately forecast customer demand and order sufficient product quantities;
| | - |  | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our reliance on sole source suppliers for some components used in our products;
| | - |  | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | infringement claims with respect to intellectual property contained in our products;
| | - |  | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our continued ability to license necessary third-party technology for the development of our products;
| | - |  | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | risks associated with doing business abroad, including foreign currency risks;
| | - |  | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our ability to hire, retain and manage additional qualified personnel to maintain and expand our business; and
| | - |  | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | our ability to timely comply with public reporting obligations and maintain the listing of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market.
| | - |  | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary
statements included in this and other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate.

Trademarks

Novatel Wireless, the Novatel
Wireless logo, MiFi, Merlin, MobiLink, Expedite, Ovation, Conversa, TotalMobileInternet, and NovaSpeed are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other
trademarks, trade names or service marks used in this report are the property of their respective owners.



2



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PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION



|Item 1. | Financial Statements.
|------- | ---------------------

NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)



|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | ------------- | -------- | - | ---------------- | - | -------- | -
|                                                                                                                                                               |  | March 31,2009 |          |   | December 31,2008 |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  | (Unaudited)   |          |   |                  |  
|ASSETS                                                                                                                                                         |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Current assets:                                                                                                                                                |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                      |  | $             | 51,637   |   |                  | $ | 77,733   |  
|Marketable securities                                                                                                                                          |  |               | 66,581   |   |                  |   | 58,536   |  
|Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,015 in 2009 and $1,010 in 2008                                                               |  |               | 57,361   |   |                  |   | 40,072   |  
|Inventories                                                                                                                                                    |  |               | 27,184   |   |                  |   | 23,229   |  
|Deferred tax assets, net                                                                                                                                       |  |               | 7,613    |   |                  |   | 7,513    |  
|Prepaid expenses and other                                                                                                                                     |  |               | 9,746    |   |                  |   | 9,923    |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Total current assets                                                                                                                                           |  |               | 220,122  |   |                  |   | 217,006  |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $35,270 in 2009 and $33,417 in 2008                                                                 |  |               | 19,004   |   |                  |   | 20,225   |  
|Marketable securities                                                                                                                                          |  |               | 14,911   |   |                  |   | 6,962    |  
|Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,338 in 2009 and $8,568 in 2008                                                                        |  |               | 1,334    |   |                  |   | 1,860    |  
|Deferred tax assets, net                                                                                                                                       |  |               | 13,818   |   |                  |   | 14,402   |  
|Other assets                                                                                                                                                   |  |               | 276      |   |                  |   | 276      |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Total assets                                                                                                                                                   |  | $             | 269,465  |   |                  | $ | 260,731  |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |              
|LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY                                                                                                                           |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Current liabilities:                                                                                                                                           |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Accounts payable                                                                                                                                               |  | $             | 34,063   |   |                  | $ | 23,225   |  
|Accrued expenses                                                                                                                                               |  |               | 20,010   |   |                  |   | 20,628   |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                      |  |               | 54,073   |   |                  |   | 43,853   |  
|Capital lease obligations, long-term                                                                                                                           |  |               | 252      |   |                  |   | 269      |  
|Other long-term liabilities                                                                                                                                    |  |               | 18,805   |   |                  |   | 18,647   |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Total liabilities                                                                                                                                              |  |               | 73,130   |   |                  |   | 62,769   |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Commitments and contingencies                                                                                                                                  |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Stockholders equity:                                                                                                                                          |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Series A and B preferred stock, par value $0.001; 2,000 shares authorized and none outstanding                                                                 |  |               |         |   |                  |   |         |  
|Common stock, par value $0.001; 50,000 shares authorized, 30,399 and 30,327 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and
December 31, 2008 respectively |  |               | 30       |   |                  |   | 30       |  
|Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                     |  |               | 408,121  |   |                  |   | 407,252  |  
|Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                                                                         |  |               | 29       |   |                  |   | 62       |  
|Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                                            |  |               | (186,845 | ) |                  |   | (184,382 | )
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               | 221,335  |   |                  |   | 222,962  |  
|Treasury stock at cost; 2,436 common shares at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008                                                                            |  |               | (25,000  | ) |                  |   | (25,000  | )
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Total stockholders equity                                                                                                                                     |  |               | 196,335  |   |                  |   | 197,962  |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  
|Total liabilities and stockholders equity                                                                                                                     |  | $             | 269,465  |   |                  | $ | 260,731  |  
|                                                                                                                                                               |  |               |          |   |                  |   |          |  

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.



3



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NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)



|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | --------------------------- | ------ | - | ---- | - | ------
|                                                                                              |  | Three Months EndedMarch 31,
|                                                                                              |  | 2009                        |        |   | 2008
|Revenue                                                                                       |  | $                           | 70,393 |   |      | $ | 87,830
|Cost of revenue                                                                               |  |                             | 54,337 |   |      |   | 66,119
|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Gross margin                                                                                  |  |                             | 16,056 |   |      |   | 21,711
|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Operating costs and expenses:                                                                 |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Research and development                                                                      |  |                             | 11,003 |   |      |   | 9,164 
|Sales and marketing                                                                           |  |                             | 4,505  |   |      |   | 5,476 
|General and administrative                                                                    |  |                             | 4,468  |   |      |   | 5,366 
|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Total operating costs and expenses                                                            |  |                             | 19,976 |   |      |   | 20,006
|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Operating income (loss)                                                                       |  |                             | (3,920 | ) |      |   | 1,705 
|Other income (expense):                                                                       |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Interest income, net                                                                          |  |                             | 481    |   |      |   | 1,503 
|Other income (expense), net                                                                   |  |                             | (84    | ) |      |   | 546   
|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Income (loss) before taxes                                                                    |  |                             | (3,523 | ) |      |   | 3,754 
|Income tax expense (benefit)                                                                  |  |                             | (1,060 | ) |      |   | 1,921 
|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Net income (loss)                                                                             |  | $                           | (2,463 | ) |      | $ | 1,833 
|                                                                                              |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Per share data:                                                                               |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Net income (loss) per share:                                                                  |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Basic                                                                                         |  | $                           | (0.08  | ) |      | $ | 0.06  
|Diluted                                                                                       |  | $                           | (0.08  | ) |      | $ | 0.06  
|Weighted average shares used in computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share: |  |                             |        |   |      |   |       
|Basic                                                                                         |  |                             | 30,387 |   |      |   | 32,541
|Diluted                                                                                       |  |                             | 30,387 |   |      |   | 32,828

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.



4



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NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)



|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | --------------------------- | ------- | - | ---- | - | ------- | -
|                                                                                                   |  | Three Months EndedMarch 31, |        
|                                                                                                   |  | 2009                        |         |   | 2008 |  
|Cash flows from operating activities:                                                              |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Net (loss) income                                                                                  |  | $                           | (2,463  | ) |      | $ | 1,833   |  
|Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Depreciation and amortization                                                                      |  |                             | 3,646   |   |      |   | 2,718   |  
|Provision for bad debts                                                                            |  |                             | 114     |   |      |   | 783     |  
|Inventory provision                                                                                |  |                             | 124     |   |      |   | 1,068   |  
|Share-based compensation expense                                                                   |  |                             | 1,525   |   |      |   | 1,679   |  
|Excess tax benefits from equity based awards                                                       |  |                             | (16     | ) |      |   | (59     | )
|Non-cash income tax expense                                                                        |  |                             | 484     |   |      |   | 20      |  
|Changes in assets and liabilities:                                                                 |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Accounts receivable                                                                                |  |                             | (17,402 | ) |      |   | 2,446   |  
|Inventories                                                                                        |  |                             | (3,809  | ) |      |   | (10,119 | )
|Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                                  |  |                             | 177     |   |      |   | 592     |  
|Accounts payable                                                                                   |  |                             | 9,751   |   |      |   | (616    | )
|Accrued expenses, income taxes, and other                                                          |  |                             | (1,234  | ) |      |   | (263    | )
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities                                                |  |                             | (9,103  | ) |      |   | 82      |  
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Cash flows from investing activities:                                                              |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Purchases of property and equipment                                                                |  |                             | (572    | ) |      |   | (833    | )
|Purchases of intangible assets                                                                     |  |                             |        |   |      |   | (45     | )
|Purchases of securities                                                                            |  |                             | (41,475 | ) |      |   | (23,027 | )
|Securities maturities/sales                                                                        |  |                             | 25,448  |   |      |   | 44,700  |  
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities                                                |  |                             | (16,599 | ) |      |   | 20,795  |  
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Cash flows from financing activities:                                                              |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Principal payments under capital lease obligations                                                 |  |                             | (62     | ) |      |   | (22     | )
|Repurchase of common stock                                                                         |  |                             |        |   |      |   | (7,000  | )
|Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan                           |  |                             | 12      |   |      |   | 432     |  
|Excess tax benefits from stock options exercised                                                   |  |                             | 16      |   |      |   | 59      |  
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Net cash used in financing activities                                                              |  |                             | (34     | ) |      |   | (6,531  | )
|Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents                                              |  |                             | (360    | ) |      |   | 220     |  
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                               |  |                             | (26,096 | ) |      |   | 14,566  |  
|Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                                     |  |                             | 77,733  |   |      |   | 84,600  |  
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                           |  | $                           | 51,637  |   |      | $ | 99,166  |  
|                                                                                                   |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                                                 |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Cash paid during the year for:                                                                     |  |                             |         |   |      |   |         |  
|Interest                                                                                           |  | $                           | 3       |   |      | $ | 5       |  
|Income taxes                                                                                       |  | $                           | 174     |   |      | $ | 1,397   |  

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.



5



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NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The information contained
herein has been prepared by Novatel Wireless, Inc. (the Company) in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information at March 31, 2009 and the results of its operations for the three months ended
March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 is unaudited. The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the
results of the interim periods presented. These consolidated financial statements and notes hereto should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2008. The accounting policies used in preparing these consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our Form 10-K with the exception of new accounting pronouncements adopted in 2009. The
results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to
the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These
estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Significant estimates include
allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, provision for excess and obsolete inventory, valuation of intangible and long-lived assets, provision for warranty costs, estimated royalty costs, income taxes, and share-based compensation expense.

New Accounting Pronouncements

During
the first quarter of 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements. In February
2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. FSP No. 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2008 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of SFAS 157 related to non-financial
assets and non-financial liabilities did not have a material impact on our financial statements. In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have
Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly, which provides guidance on determining fair value when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. FSP No. 157-4 is
effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 and will be adopted by the Company beginning in the second quarter of 2009. Although the Company will continue to evaluate the application of FSP No. 157-2 and FSP
No. 157-4, management does not currently believe adoption of these accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on the Companys financial condition or operating results.

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 161 (SFAS 161), Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. This new standard requires enhanced disclosures for derivative instruments, including those used in hedging activities. The adoption of this accounting pronouncement did not have an impact
on the Companys statements of operations or balance sheet.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,
Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which provides operational guidance for determining other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) for debt securities. FSP No. 115-2 and 124-2 is effective for
interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. Although the Company will continue to evaluate the application of FSP No. 115-2 and 124-2, management does not currently believe this accounting pronouncement will have a material
impact on the Companys financial condition or operating results.



6



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2. Balance Sheet Details

Marketable Securities

The Companys portfolio of available-for-sale securities by contractual
maturity consists of the following as of March 31, 2009 (in thousands):



|                                       |  |                  |  |               |        |                      |   |                       |  |   |                     |   |  |   |       
|-------------------------------------- |  | ---------------- |  | ------------- | ------ | -------------------- | - | --------------------- |  | - | ------------------- | - |  | - | ------
|March 31, 2009                         |  | Maturity inYears |  | AmortizedCost |        | GrossUnrealizedGains |   | GrossUnrealizedLosses |  |   | EstimatedFair Value
|US Treasury and agency securities      |  | 1 or less        |  | $             | 29,959 |                      | $ | 72                    |  |   |                    |   |  | $ | 30,031
|Certificates of deposit                |  | 1 or less        |  |               | 14,860 |                      |   |                      |  |   | (22                 | ) |  |   | 14,838
|Corporate debentures / bonds           |  | 1 or less        |  |               | 21,672 |                      |   | 40                    |  |   |                    |   |  |   | 21,712
|                                       |  |                  |  |               |        |                      |   |                       |  |   |                     |   |  |   |       
|Total short-term marketable securities |  |                  |  |               | 66,491 |                      |   | 112                   |  |   | (22                 | ) |  |   | 66,581
|                                       |  |                  |  |               |        |                      |   |                       |  |   |                     |   |  |   |       
|Corporate debentures / bonds           |  | 1 to 2           |  |               | 7,536  |                      |   |                      |  |   | (9                  | ) |  |   | 7,527 
|Certificates of deposit                |  | 1 to 2           |  |               | 7,420  |                      |   |                      |  |   | (36                 | ) |  |   | 7,384 
|                                       |  |                  |  |               |        |                      |   |                       |  |   |                     |   |  |   |       
|Total long-term marketable securities  |  |                  |  |               | 14,956 |                      |   |                      |  |   | (45                 | ) |  |   | 14,911
|                                       |  |                  |  |               |        |                      |   |                       |  |   |                     |   |  |   |       
|                                       |  |                  |  | $             | 81,447 |                      | $ | 112                   |  | $ | (67                 | ) |  | $ | 81,492
|                                       |  |                  |  |               |        |                      |   |                       |  |   |                     |   |  |   |       

As of March 31, 2009, net unrealized gains of $45,000, or $29,000 net of taxes, are included
in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheet.

At March 31, 2009, the Company did not have any
investments in individual securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. The Company believes the unrealized losses at March 31, 2009 represent a temporary condition due to the high quality of the
investment securities.

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):



March 31,2009

December 31,2008Finished goods

$
26,655

$
22,515Raw materials and components


529


714$
27,184

$
23,229




7



---

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):



March 31,2009

December 31,2008Royalties

$
4,724

$
3,657Payroll and related


3,883


3,479Product warranty


4,131


3,471Market development fund and price protection


1,731


2,963Deferred rent


661


740Professional fees


658


1,003Other


4,222


5,315$
20,010

$
20,628


3. Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities

Pursuant to SFAS 157, the Companys cash equivalents and investments are currently classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value
hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. We maintain an investment portfolio of various security holdings, types and
maturities. We place our cash equivalents and investments in instruments that meet credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy guidelines. These guidelines also limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer or type
of instrument. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are valued using pricing models that take into account the currency rates as of the balance sheet date.

Our investment in financial instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets are our investments in money market securities. Such instruments are classified within level 1 of the fair value
hierarchy.

The types of financial instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations,
or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include most investment-grade corporate bonds, commercial paper, time deposits, government and agency securities, asset backed securities, and foreign exchange forward
contracts. Such instruments are classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

As of March 31, 2009, we did not have any
assets or liabilities without observable market values that would require a high level of judgment to determine fair value (level 3 assets).



8



---

The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring
basis in accordance with SFAS 157 as of March 31, 2009 (in thousands):



|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|-------------------------------------- |  | -------------- | ------- | - | ------- | - | ------- |  | - | ------ | -
|Description                            |  | March 31, 2009 |         |   | Level 1 |   | Level 2 | 
|Assets:                                |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Cash equivalents:                      |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Money market funds                     |  | $              | 43,605  |   |         | $ | 43,605  |  | $ |       |  
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Total cash equivalents                 |  |                | 43,605  |   |         |   | 43,605  |  |   |       |  
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Short-term marketable securities:      |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Corporate debentures / bonds           |  |                | 21,712  |   |         |   |        |  |   | 21,712 |  
|US Treasury and agency securities      |  |                | 30,031  |   |         |   |        |  |   | 30,031 |  
|Certificates of deposit                |  |                | 14,838  |   |         |   |        |  |   | 14,838 |  
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Total short-term marketable securities |  |                | 66,581  |   |         |   |        |  |   | 66,581 |  
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Long-term marketable securities:       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Corporate debentures / bonds           |  |                | 7,527   |   |         |   |        |  |   | 7,527  |  
|Certificates of deposit                |  |                | 7,384   |   |         |   |        |  |   | 7,384  |  
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Total long-term marketable securities  |  |                | 14,911  |   |         |   |        |  |   | 14,911 |  
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Total financial assets                 |  | $              | 125,097 |   |         | $ | 43,605  |  | $ | 81,492 |  
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Liabilities:                           |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  
|Foreign exchange forward contracts     |  | $              | (57     | ) |         | $ |        |  | $ | (57    | )
|                                       |  |                |         |   |         |   |         |  |   |        |  

As of March 31, 2009, the total amount of outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts amounted
to $6.1 million (€4.6 million). These contracts are used to hedge the Companys Euro-denominated cash and accounts receivable balances. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded gains of $611,000 and losses
of $1.7 million on its foreign exchange forward contracts, respectively.

4. Share-Based Compensation

SFAS No. 123(R) (SFAS 123(R)), Share-Based Payment, requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all
share-based payment awards made to employees and directors. The Company included the following amounts for share-based compensation awards in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31,
2009 and 2008 (in thousands):



|                                       |  |                             |       |   |      |   |       |  
|-------------------------------------- |  | --------------------------- | ----- | - | ---- | - | ----- | -
|                                       |  | Three MonthsEnded March 31, |      
|                                       |  | 2009                        |       |   | 2008 |  
|Cost of revenue                        |  | $                           | 190   |   |      | $ | 144   |  
|Research and development               |  |                             | 640   |   |      |   | 560   |  
|Sales and marketing                    |  |                             | 279   |   |      |   | 256   |  
|General and administrative             |  |                             | 416   |   |      |   | 719   |  
|                                       |  |                             |       |   |      |   |       |  
|Totals                                 |  |                             | 1,525 |   |      |   | 1,679 |  
|Tax effect on share-based compensation |  |                             | (198  | ) |      |   | (253  | )
|                                       |  |                             |       |   |      |   |       |  
|Net effect on net income (loss)        |  | $                           | 1,327 |   |      | $ | 1,426 |  
|                                       |  |                             |       |   |      |   |       |  
|Effect on net income (loss) per share: |  |                             |       |   |      |   |       |  
|Basic                                  |  | $                           | 0.04  |   |      | $ | 0.04  |  
|Diluted                                |  | $                           | 0.04  |   |      | $ | 0.04  |  

5. Segment Information and Concentrations of Risk

Segment Information

The Company
operates in the wireless data modem technology industry and all sales of the Companys products and services are made in this segment. Management makes decisions about allocating resources based on this one reportable segment.

The Company has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. The amount of the Companys assets in the United States, Canada, Europe
and Asia as of March 31, 2009 were $264.0 million, $4.8 million, $567,000 and $49,000 respectively, and as of December 31, 2008 were $253.5 million, $6.3 million, $892,000 and $59,000, respectively.



9



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For the three months ended March 31, 2009, approximately 9.0% of revenues were derived from
international customers (Europe/Middle East/Africa 8.9% and Asia/Australia 0.1%) as compared to approximately 38% of revenues derived from international customers (Europe/Middle East/Africa 38% and Asia/Australia 0%) for the three months ended
March 31, 2008.

Concentrations of Risk

Substantially all of the Companys revenues are derived from sales of wireless access products. Any significant decline in market acceptance of the Companys products or in the financial condition of the
Companys existing customers would have an adverse effect on the Companys results of operations and financial condition.

A
significant portion of the Companys revenue is derived from a small number of customers. Two customers accounted for 51% and 17% of revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2009. Four customers accounted for 23%, 17%, 16% and 13% of
revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2008.

The Company outsources its manufacturing to two third-party manufacturers. If
one or both of them were to experience delays, disruptions, capacity constraints or quality control problems in its manufacturing operations, product shipments to the Companys customers could be delayed or its customers could consequently
elect to cancel the underlying order, which would negatively impact the Companys revenues and results of operations.

6. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common
stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common
stock. Potentially dilutive securities (currently consisting of options, warrants, restricted stock units (RSUs) and employee stock purchase plan withholdings using the treasury stock method) are excluded from the diluted EPS
computation in loss periods and when the applicable exercise price is greater than the market price as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average common and potential common shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):



|                                                                        |  |                             |  |       
|----------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | --------------------------- |  | ------
|                                                                        |  | Three Months EndedMarch 31,
|                                                                        |  | 2009                        |  | 2008  
|Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding                        |  | 30,387                      |  | 32,541
|Effect of dilutive securities:                                          |  |                             |  |       
|Warrants                                                                |  |                            |  | 53    
|Options                                                                 |  |                            |  | 189   
|Employee Stock Purchase Plan                                            |  |                            |  | 6     
|Restricted Stock Units                                                  |  |                            |  | 39    
|                                                                        |  |                             |  |       
|Diluted weighted-average common and potential common shares outstanding |  | 30,387                      |  | 32,828
|                                                                        |  |                             |  |       

Weighted-average options, warrants, RSUs, and ESPP shares with respect to a total of 4,963,127 and
2,671,535 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effect was anti-dilutive.

7. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

On September 15, 2008, and September 18, 2008, two putative securities class action lawsuits were filed in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of California on behalf of persons who allegedly purchased our stock between February 5, 2007 and August 19, 2008. On December 11, 2008, these lawsuits were consolidated into a single action
entitled Backe v. Novatel Wireless, Inc., et al., Case No. 08-CV-01689-H (RBB) (Consolidated with Case No. 08-CV-01714-H (RBB)) (U.S.D.C., S.D. Cal.). The plaintiffs filed the consolidated complaint on behalf of persons who
allegedly purchased our stock between February 27, 2007 and November 10, 2008. The consolidated complaint names the Company and certain of our current and former officers as defendants. The consolidated complaint alleges generally that we
issued materially false and misleading statements during the relevant time period regarding the strength of our products and market share, our financial results and our internal controls. The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of damages
and costs. On February 9, 2009, all defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint.



10



---

The court entered an order denying the defendants motion to dismiss on April 1, 2009. On May 1, 2009, all defendants filed an answer to the
consolidated complaint and moved to reconsider the order on the motion to dismiss. The Company intends to defend this litigation vigorously. Due to the preliminary nature of this litigation, the Company is unable to estimate a range of exposure
associated with this litigation.

On October 8, 2008, a purported shareholder, Jerry Rosenbaum, filed a derivative action in the
Superior Court for the State of California, County of San Diego, against the Company, as nominal defendant, and certain of our current and former officers and directors, including the members of our Audit Committee, as defendants. Two other
purported shareholders, Mark Campos and Chris Arnsdorf, separately filed substantially similar lawsuits in the same court on October 20, 2008 and November 5, 2008, respectively. The complaints allege claims for breach of fiduciary duties
for disseminating false and misleading statements and for failing to maintain internal controls, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, and gross mismanagement, in each case for the period from February 2007 to the date on which each complaint was
filed. The plaintiffs allege that the Company misrepresented its financial results by failing to disclose that it recognized certain revenues in violation of generally accepted accounting principles and the Companys own internal revenue
cut-off procedures. Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that the Company misrepresented the status of the accounting review conducted by the Audit Committee. The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount for damages sustained by the Company,
attorneys fees and costs, and appropriate equitable relief. We have filed a stipulation with the plaintiffs that the derivative actions be consolidated. Due to the preliminary nature of this litigation, the Company is unable to estimate
a range of exposure associated with this litigation.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Company periodically enters into agreements that require the Company to indemnify and defend its customers for,
among other things, claims alleging that the Companys products infringe third-party patents or other intellectual property rights. The Companys maximum exposure under these indemnification provisions cannot be estimated.

On January 9, 2009, DNT, LLC filed a putative patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
against several wireless carriers, including Sprint Nextel Corporation and Verizon Wireless, Inc., as defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants use, sale and importation of specified wireless modem cards for
computers designed to be used in conjunction with the defendants cellular networks constitutes direct infringement of U.S. Patent No. RE 37,660, which the plaintiff allegedly owns. The complaint also alleges that customer use of the products
sold by the defendants constitutes indirect infringement of the patent allegedly owned by the plaintiff. The plaintiff is seeking an amount of damages equal to no less than a reasonable royalty for the sale of each infringing product, an injunction,
costs and other relief as appropriate. On March 23, 2009, the Company filed a motion to intervene and on April 20, 2009, the plaintiff filed a counterclaim against the Company. The court has set a trial date in December 2009. Due to the
preliminary nature of this action, the Company is unable to estimate the range of exposure associated with this matter.

On
January 16, 2009, Datascape, Inc. filed a putative patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Sprint Spectrum, L.P. and Sprint Solutions, Inc. as defendants. The complaint
alleges generally that the defendants have engaged in the manufacture, sale, import and/or use of products and/or processes that constitutes infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,742,845, 5,905,908, 6,366,967, 6,684,269 and 6,745,259, which the
plaintiff allegedly owns. The plaintiff is seeking an amount of damages no less than a reasonable royalty, treble damages, an injunction, attorneys fees and costs and additional relief as appropriate. The Company is currently evaluating this
matter to determine the nature and extent of its obligation to indemnify and/or defend the defendants in this lawsuit. Due to the preliminary nature of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate the range of exposure associated with this matter.

8. Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive
income consists of the following (in thousands):



|                                                                          |  |                             |        |   |      |   |      
|------------------------------------------------------------------------- |  | --------------------------- | ------ | - | ---- | - | -----
|                                                                          |  | Three Months EndedMarch 31,
|                                                                          |  | 2009                        |        |   | 2008
|Net income (loss)                                                         |  | $                           | (2,463 | ) |      | $ | 1,833
|Unrealized gain on cash equivalents and marketable securities, net of tax |  |                             | (33    | ) |      |   | 30   
|                                                                          |  |                             |        |   |      |   |      
|Comprehensive income (loss)                                               |  | $                           | (2,496 | ) |      | $ | 1,863
|                                                                          |  |                             |        |   |      |   |      



11



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9. Income Taxes

The Company recognizes federal, state and foreign current tax liabilities or assets based on its estimate of taxes payable to or refundable by tax authorities in the current fiscal year. The Company also recognizes
federal, state and foreign deferred tax liabilities or assets based on the Companys estimate of future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carry forwards. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce any deferred tax
assets by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence and judgment, are not expected to be realized.

The 36.4%
effective income tax rate, not including discrete items, recorded during the first quarter of 2009 is lower than the annual effective tax rate of 43% recorded during 2008 predominantly due to the Companys inability to recognize a tax benefit
from certain equity incentive awards expensed under the Companys accounting for share-based compensation.

In January 2007, the
Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. Under FIN 48, the Companys liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008
was $18.8 million and $18.6 million, respectively. At March 31, 2009, the Company had recorded approximately $730,000 of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions in its consolidated balance sheet. For the quarter ended March 31,
2009, the Company included $101,000 of interest expense related to uncertain tax positions in its consolidated statement of operations. This expense is recorded as a discrete item in the Companys tax provision.

On September 23, 2008, the State of California enacted tax legislation that, among other things, placed a moratorium on the use of net operating
loss carryforwards to reduce state taxable income in 2008 and 2009. In October 2008, the United States Congress enacted tax legislation that, among other things, extended the federal research and development tax credit to December 31, 2009. We
presently expect that this legislation will impact our 2009 federal and state income tax liabilities.

California income tax legislation
enacted in the first quarter of 2009, among other things, permits an irrevocable annual elective single sales apportionment factor for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. As a result of this legislation, the Company reduced its
California deferred tax asset by approximately $124,000 as of March 31, 2009.

The Company and its subsidiaries file federal, state
and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with various statutes of limitations. The Company is also subject to various income tax examinations for 1996 through 2008 due to the availability of net operating loss carryforwards.

It is reasonably possible that a decrease of approximately $3.2 million to the gross unrecognized tax benefits may be required within the next 12 months.
This adjustment relates to the possible settlement of Internal Revenue Service audits for the Companys 2006 tax year that are currently in process and expected to be completed within the next 12 months, and the expiration of the statute of
limitations in various taxing jurisdictions.



|Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in Item 1 of
this report, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 contained in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Overview and Background

We are a provider of wireless broadband access solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Our broad range of products includes third
generation, or 3G, wireless PC card and ExpressCard modems, embedded modems, USB modems and other fixed-mobile convergence, or FMC, solutions and communications software for wireless network operators, infrastructure providers, distributors,
original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and vertical markets worldwide. Through the integration of our hardware and software, our products are designed to operate on a majority of global wireless networks and provide mobile subscribers with
secure and convenient high speed access to corporate, public and personal information through the Internet and enterprise networks. We also offer software engineering, integration and design services to our customers to facilitate the use of our
products.

Our strong customer relationships provide us with the opportunity to expand our market reach and sales. Most of our sales to
wireless operators and OEMs are sold directly through our sales force. To a lesser degree, we also use an indirect sales distribution model through the use of select distributors. We are continuing to drive widespread adoption of our products
through increased global marketing activities, expansion of our sales team and distribution networks and continued leverage of our strategic relationships with wireless industry leaders.

We intend to continue to identify and respond to our customers needs by introducing new product designs with an emphasis on supporting cutting edge Wide Area
Network, or WAN, technology, ease-of-use, performance, size, weight, cost and power consumption. We manage our products through a structured life cycle process, from identifying initial customer requirements through development and commercial
introduction to eventual phase-out. During product development, emphasis is placed on time-to-market, meeting industry standards and customer product specifications, ease of integration, cost reduction, manufacturability, quality and reliability.



12



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We have agreements with LG Innotek and Inventec Appliances Corporation, or IAC, for the outsourced
manufacturing of our products. Under our manufacturing agreements, LG Innotek and IAC provide us with services including component procurement, product manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control, fulfillment and delivery. In addition,
we have an agreement with Mobiltron for certain distribution, fulfillment and repair services related to our business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, or EMEA.

Factors Which May Influence Future Results of Operations

We have entered into and expect to continue
to enter into new customer contracts for the development and supply of our products. This may place significant demands on our resources.

The continuing global financial crisis and the resulting slowdown in the worldwide economy is causing, and we expect may continue to cause, contraction in demand for our products. In addition, the financial crisis may continue to have an
impact on the value of our investment portfolio, foreign currency exchange gain (loss), and net investment interest income (loss).

Revenue. We believe that our future revenues will be influenced largely by the speed and breadth of the demand for wireless access to data through the use of next generation networks including demand for 3G products and 3G data
access services, particularly in Europe, North America and Asia; customer acceptance for our new products that address these markets, including our MiFi line of Intelligent Mobile Hotspots; and our ability to meet customer demand. Factors that
could potentially affect customer demand for our products include the following:



| |  |  | economic environment and related market conditions;
| | - |  | ---------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | increased competition from other wireless data modem suppliers as well as suppliers of emerging devices that contain a wireless data access feature;
| | - |  | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | demand for broadband access services and networks;
| | - |  | --------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | use of the Internet;
| | - |  | --------------------



| |  |  | rate of change to new products;
| | - |  | -------------------------------



| |  |  | loss of significant customers, including current laptop customers who transition to alternative embedded module platforms such as QUALCOMMs Gobi platform;
| | - |  | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | timing of deployment of 3G networks by carriers;
| | - |  | ------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | decreased demand for EV-DO, HSDPA and HSUPA products; and
| | - |  | ---------------------------------------------------------



| |  |  | changes in technologies.
| | - |  | ------------------------

We
anticipate introducing additional 3G products during 2009. We continue to develop and maintain strategic relationships with wireless and computing industry leaders like Alcatel-Lucent, Dell, Hon Hai, QUALCOMM, Sony, Sprint PCS, Verizon
Wireless, Telefonica, and Vodafone and software vendors. Our strategic relationships also include technology and marketing relationships with wireless operators, OEM partners that integrate our products into other devices, distributors and leading
hardware and software technology providers. Through these strategic relationships, we have been able to enhance our market penetration activities by leveraging the resources of our channel partners, including their access to distribution resources,
increased sales opportunities and market opportunities.

Cost of Revenue. We currently outsource our manufacturing operations
to LG Innotek and IAC. In addition, we currently outsource certain distribution, fulfillment and repair services related to our business in EMEA to Mobiltron. All costs associated with these manufacturers and Mobiltron are included in our cost of
revenue. Cost of revenue also includes warranty costs, amortization of intangible licenses, royalties based on a percentage of revenue, operations group expenses, costs related to outside services and costs related to inventory adjustments,
including write downs for excess and obsolete inventory. Inventory adjustments are impacted primarily by demand for our products, which is influenced by the factors discussed above.

Operating Costs and Expenses. Many of our products target wireless operators and other customers in North America, Europe, and Asia. We will
likely develop new products to serve these markets, resulting in increased research and development expenses associated with such new product development. We have in the past and expect to continue to incur these expenses in future periods prior to
recognizing revenue from sales of these products.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual
results could differ from these estimates. Critical accounting policies and significant estimates include revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, provision for excess and obsolete inventory, valuation of intangible and
long-lived assets, provision for warranty costs,



13



---

royalty costs, income taxes, foreign exchange forward contracts, and share-based compensation expense. The significant accounting policies used in
preparation of these consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2009 are consistent with those discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2008 and in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report. The critical accounting policies and the significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial
statements for the three months ended March 31, 2009 are consistent with those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 in the section captioned Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations  Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, provides a framework
for measuring fair value, and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. FSP No.
157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of SFAS 157 related to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities did not have a material impact on our financial statements. In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No.
FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly, which provides guidance on determining fair value when there is
no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. FSP No. 157-4 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 and will be adopted by the Company beginning in the second quarter of
2009. Although the Company will continue to evaluate the application of FSP No. 157-2 and FSP No. 157-4, management does not currently believe adoption of these accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on the Companys
financial condition or operating results.

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 161 (SFAS 161),
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. This new standard requires enhanced disclosures for derivative instruments, including those used in hedging activities. The adoption
of this accounting pronouncement did not have an impact on the Companys statements of operations or balance sheet.

In April 2009,
the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which provides operational guidance for determining other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) for debt securities.
FSP No. 115-2 and 124-2 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. Although the Company will continue to evaluate the application of FSP No. 115-2 and 124-2, management does not currently believe this
accounting pronouncement will have a material impact on the Companys financial condition or operating results.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

Revenue.Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased $17.4 million, or 19.8%, to $70.4 million compared to $87.8
million for the same period in 2008. The decrease in revenue was primarily attributable to decreases in sales for our High Speed Packet Access, or HSPA, products partially offset by an increase in our EV-DO products. The decrease in HSPA product
sales, which were mainly shipped to the European market, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 was approximately $31.0 million. The decrease was primarily due to the combined effects of lower unit
shipments of our products and lower average sales prices due to competitive pricing pressures. Our EV-DO product sales increased by approximately $13.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in
2008, primarily as a result of the increase in revenues from new embedded module product sales to a content delivery device customer. Overall, EV-DO revenue, which consists primarily of North American products, represented approximately 86% of
revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to 54% in the same period in 2008 while HSDPA/HSUPA products represented approximately 14% of revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to 46% in the same period in
2008.

The continuing slowdown of global economies resulted in lower demand for our products adversely affecting our revenues and operating
results for the first quarter of 2009. The current economic circumstances make it more difficult to forecast revenue trends in the near term as we expect unfavorable macro economic conditions in our key markets to continue throughout 2009.



14



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Cost of revenue. Cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was
$54.3 million, or 77.2% of revenue, as compared to $66.1 million, or 75.3% of revenue, for the same period in 2008. The increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue in 2009 was primarily related to the rate of decrease in the average per
unit selling prices for products exceeding the rate of decrease in the average per unit cost of revenues and other market driven factors. Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue is expected to fluctuate in future quarters depending on the mix of
products sold, competitive pricing, new product introduction costs and other factors.

The current global economic conditions and related
increased competitive pressures may continue to negatively impact the average sales prices of our products. This may require us in future periods to record inventory write downs to reflect lower of cost or market adjustments and revalue certain
assets that may become impaired.

Gross margin. Gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $16.1
million, or 22.8% of revenue, compared to $21.7 million, or 24.7% of revenue, for the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily attributable to the changes in revenue and cost of revenue as discussed above. We expect that our gross margin
percentage will continue to fluctuate from quarter to quarter depending on product mix, competitive selling prices, our ability to reduce product costs and changes in unit volumes.

Research and development expenses.Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $11.0 million, or
15.6% of revenue, compared to $9.2 million, or 10.4% of revenue, for the same period in 2008. The dollar increase was primarily attributable to an increase in consulting and outside services of approximately $1.1 million, and an increase in
equipment and supplies expenses of approximately $600,000 related to new product development. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenue are expected to fluctuate in future quarters depending on the amount of revenue recognized,
and potential variation in the costs associated with the development of the Companys products, including the number and complexity of the products under development and the progress of the development activities with respect to those products.
However, we expect to maintain or increase our investment in research and development to continue to provide innovative products and services.

Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $4.5 million, or 6.4% of revenue, compared to approximately $5.5 million, or 6.2% of revenue, for the same
period in 2008. The reduction in expense was primarily attributable to a decrease of approximately $400,000 related to marketing expenses, a decrease in salaries and related expenses of approximately $400,000, and a decrease of approximately
$200,000 in travel and related expenditures. While managing sales and marketing expenses relative to revenue, we expect to continue to make selected investments in sales and marketing as we introduce new products, market existing products, expand
our distribution channels and focus on key customers around the world.

General and administrative expenses.General and
administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $4.5 million, or 6.3% of revenue, compared to $5.4 million, or 6.1% of revenue, for the same period in 2008. The dollar decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in
bad debt expense of approximately $700,000, and a decrease in salary and related expenses of approximately $200,000.

Interest
income, net.Interest income, net, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $481,000 as compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily due to declines in market interest rates and investment
yields and a decline in our average cash and marketable securities balances as compared to the same period in 2008.

Other income
(expense), net. Other expense, net, for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $84,000 as compared to income of $546,000 for the same period in 2008. This decline was primarily due to losses on our Euro-denominated cash and
receivable balances, offset by gains on our Euro-denominated foreign exchange forward contracts.

Income tax expense (benefit).Income tax benefit was approximately $1.1 million, or 30% of loss before taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $1.9 million of income tax expense, or 51.2% of income before taxes, for the same period in 2008. The
effective income tax rate for 2009 is lower than for 2008, primarily due to the Companys utilization of federal and state research and development tax credits, offset by our inability to currently deduct for federal income tax expense
associated with certain equity incentive awards that were expensed for financial statement purposes.

The estimated annual effective tax
rate of 36.4% for 2009 is 2.4% higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate predominantly due to the Companys estimate of state income taxes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company included $101,000 of interest expense related to uncertain tax positions in its consolidated statement of operations. This expense is recorded as a discrete item in the
Companys tax provision.

On September 23, 2008, the State of California enacted tax legislation that, among other things, placed
a moratorium on the use of net operating loss carryforwards to reduce state taxable income in 2008 and 2009. In October 2008, the United States Congress enacted tax legislation that, among other things, extended the federal research and development
tax credit to December 31, 2009. We presently expect that this legislation will impact our 2009 federal and state income tax liabilities.

California income tax legislation enacted in the first quarter of 2009, among other things, permits an irrevocable annual elective single sales apportionment factor for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. FASB
Statement No. 109 provides that the impact of changes in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities existing at the enactment date must be recognized as a discrete item in the period that includes the enactment date. As a result
of this legislation, the Company reduced its California deferred tax asset by approximately $124,000 as of March 31, 2009.



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Net income (loss).For the three months ended March 31, 2009, we reported a net loss
of $2.5 million, as compared to net income of $1.8 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease in net income was primarily due to the decrease in revenue as discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash, cash
equivalents and marketable securities and cash generated from operations. We do not currently have a revolving credit facility or similar loan agreement. As of March 31, 2009, we had working capital of $166.0 million and approximately $133.1
million in cash and cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities, which is a decrease of approximately $10.1 million from $143.2 million at December 31, 2008. The decrease is primarily related to increases in working capital,
primarily trade accounts receivable and inventories, offset by an increase in trade accounts payable.

We will continue to have cash
requirements to support working capital needs. We intend to use cash and investments on hand, and cash generated from operations to meet these requirements. We believe that our existing cash and investment balances, and cash from operations will be
adequate to meet our normal cash requirements over the next 12 months.

Historical Cash Flows

Operating Activities.Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $9.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009,
compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $82,000 for the same period in 2008. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the $9.1 million in cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to our quarterly net
loss of $2.5 million and increases in our accounts receivable and inventory offset by increases in accounts payable and non-cash charges including depreciation and amortization, and share-based compensation. During the three months ended
March 31, 2008, the $82,000 in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to our quarterly net income of $1.8 million, decreases in our accounts receivable balances, and non-cash charges including depreciation and
amortization, charges for inventory losses, and share-based compensation offset by increases in inventories and accrued expenses.

Investing activities.Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was approximately $16.6 million, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of approximately $20.8 million
during the same period in 2008. Net cash used in investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2009 was primarily related to purchases of investment securities. The net cash provided by investing activities in the three months ended
March 31, 2008 was primarily due to the sale and maturity of investment securities, offset by purchases of investment securities and purchases of property and equipment to establish production capacity at a second contract manufacturer of the
Companys products.

Financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended
March 31, 2009 was approximately $34,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $6.5 million used in financing activities during the same period in 2008. Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended
March 31, 2009 was primarily related to payments made on capital leases, offset by excess tax benefits from stock option exercises and proceeds from the exercise of stock options and stock purchases through our employee stock purchase plan. Net
cash used in financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2008 was primarily due to the Companys repurchase of $7 million of its outstanding common stock on the open market pursuant to a repurchase program. During the three
months ended March 31, 2008, the Company repurchased a total of 658,061 shares of its outstanding common stock for $7.0 million under the repurchase program.



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Other Liquidity Needs

The Company expects to incur professional fees and expenses to defend litigation filed against the Company or related to its products, which litigation
is discussed in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report. These costs cannot be estimated at this time.

During the next 12 months we plan to incur approximately $13 million to $16 million for the acquisition of property and equipment and additional licenses.

We believe that our available cash and investments, together with our operating cash flows, will be sufficient to fund operations, including the
potential expansion of our sales and marketing team, the further development of our new products and the related potential increase in our general and administrative expenses, and to satisfy our working capital requirements and anticipated capital
expenditures for the next 12 months. Our future revenue is dependent on us fulfilling our commitments under agreements with a small number of major customers. Our liquidity could be impaired if there is any interruption in our business operations, a
material failure to satisfy these contractual commitments or a failure to generate revenue from new or existing products.



|Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
|------- | -----------------------------------------------------------

Market risk is the risk of potential economic loss principally arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. The major components of market risk affecting us are interest rate risk, global
credit risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk.

Since December 31, 2008, there have been no material changes in the quantitative
or qualitative aspect of our market risk profile. For additional information regarding the Companys exposure to certain market risks, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.



|Item 4. | Controls and Procedures.
|------- | ------------------------

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

The Company maintains disclosure controls and
procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or
submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the
Companys management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
participation of the Companys management, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of
March 31, 2009, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Companys
disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

There were no changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act,
during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.

PART IIOTHER INFORMATION



|Item 1. | Legal Proceedings.
|------- | ------------------

On September 15, 2008, and September 18, 2008, two putative securities class action lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California on behalf of persons who allegedly purchased our
stock between February 5, 2007 and August 19, 2008. On December 11, 2008, these lawsuits were consolidated into a single action entitled Backe v. Novatel Wireless, Inc., et al., Case No. 08-CV-01689-H (RBB) (Consolidated
with Case No. 08-CV-01714-H (RBB)) (U.S.D.C., S.D. Cal.). The plaintiffs filed the consolidated complaint on behalf of persons who allegedly purchased our stock between February 27, 2007 and November 10, 2008. The consolidated
complaint names the Company and certain of our current and former officers as defendants. The consolidated complaint alleges generally that we issued materially false and misleading statements during the relevant time period regarding the strength
of our products and market share, our financial results and our internal controls. The plaintiffs are seeking an



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unspecified amount of damages and costs. On February 9, 2009, all defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint. The court entered an
order denying the defendants motion to dismiss on April 1, 2009. On May 1, 2009, all defendants filed an answer to the consolidated complaint and moved to reconsider the order on the motion to dismiss. The Company intends to defend
this litigation vigorously.

On January 9, 2009, DNT, LLC filed a putative patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against several wireless carriers, including Sprint Nextel Corporation and Verizon Wireless, Inc., as defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants use, sale and
importation of specified wireless modem cards for computers designed to be used in conjunction with the defendants cellular networks constitutes direct infringement of U.S. Patent No. RE 37,660, which the plaintiff allegedly owns. The
complaint also alleges that customer use of the products sold by the defendants constitutes indirect infringement of the patent allegedly owned by the plaintiff. The plaintiff is seeking an amount of damages equal to no less than a reasonable
royalty for the sale of each infringing product, an injunction, costs and other relief as appropriate. On March 23, 2009, the Company filed a motion to intervene and on April 20, 2009, the plaintiff filed a counterclaim against the Company. The
court has set a trial date in December 2009.

Except as described above, there have been no material developments in our legal proceedings
since December 31, 2008. For additional information regarding the Companys legal proceedings, see Item 3, Legal Proceedings in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.



|Item 1A. | Risk Factors.
|-------- | -------------

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Item 1A of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.



|Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
|------- | ------------------------------------------------------------

Not applicable.



|Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
|------- | --------------------------------

Not applicable.



|Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
|------- | ----------------------------------------------------

Not applicable.



|Item 5. | Other Information.
|------- | ------------------

Not applicable.



|Item 6. | Exhibits.
|------- | ---------



|              |  |                                                                                                                                                           
|------------- |  | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|ExhibitNumber |  | Description                                                                                                                                               
|              | 
|31.1          |  | Certification of our Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.                                               
|              | 
|31.2          |  | Certification of our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.                                
|              | 
|32.1          |  | Certification of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



|                   |  |  |  |                        |  |     |  |                                                                                                              
|------------------ |  |  |  | ---------------------- |  | --- |  | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Date: May 11, 2009 |  |  |  | Novatel Wireless, Inc.
|                   |  |  |  |                       
|                   |  |  |  |                        |  | By: |  | /S/    PETER LEPARULO                                                                                        
|                   |  |  |  |                        |  |     |  | Peter Leparulo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)                            
|                   |  |  |  |                       
|                   |  |  |  |                        |  | By: |  | /S/    KENNETH
LEDDON                                                                                        
|                   |  |  |  |                        |  |     |  | Kenneth Leddon Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)



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