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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                             NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.
                        1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
                          (ADOPTED AS OF JUNE 2, 1997)

                                    ARTICLE I

                                  GENERAL TERMS


        1.1 PURPOSE OF PLAN; TERM

               (a) ADOPTION. On June 2, 1997, the Board of Directors (the
"Board") of Novatel Wireless, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
adopted this stock option plan to be known as the Novatel 1997 Employee Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan").

               (b) DEFINED TERMS. All initially capitalized terms used in the
Plan shall have the meanings set forth in Article IV hereto.

               (c) GENERAL PROPOSE. The purpose of the Grant Program is to
further the interests of the Company and its stockholders by attracting and
retaining employees of the Company (or Parent or Subsidiary Corporations) and
encouraging employees to acquire shares of the Company's Stock, thereby
acquiring a proprietary interest is its business and an increased personal
interest in its continued success and progress. Such purpose shall be,
accomplished by providing for the granting of options ("Options") to acquire the
Company's Stock.

               (d) CHARACTER OF OPTIONS. Options granted under this Plan to
employees of the Company (or Parent or Subsidiary Corporations) that are
intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" as defined in Code Section 422
("Incentive Stock Options") will be specified in the applicable stock option
agreement. All other Options granted under this Plan will be nonqualified
options.

               (e) RULE 16b-3 PLAN. With respect to persons subject to Section
16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act"), the Plan is
intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 (and all
subsequent revisions thereof) ("Rule 16b-3") promulgated under the 1934 Act. In
such instance, to the extent any provision of the Plan or action by a Plan
Administrator fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the
extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by such Plan Administrator. In
addition, the Board may amend the Plan from time to time as it deems necessary
in order to meet the requirements of any amendments to Rule 16b-3 without the
consent of the stockholders of the Company.

               (f) DURATION OF PLAN. The term of the Plan shall be 10 years
commencing on the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board as specified in
Section 1.l(a) hereof. No Option shall be granted under the Plan unless granted
within 10 years of the adoption of the Plan by the Board, but Options
outstanding on that date shall not be terminated or otherwise affected by virtue
of the Plan's expiration.


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        1.2 STOCK AND MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

               (a) DESCRIPTION OF STOCK AND MAXIMUM SHARES ALLOCATED. The stock
subject to the provisions of the Plan and issuable upon exercise of Options
granted under the Plan is shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.001 par value
pet share (the "Stock"), which may be either unissued or treasury shares, as the
Board may from time to time determine. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 3.1 hereof, the aggregate number of shares of Stock covered by the Plan
and issuable hereunder shall be 600,000 shares of Stock.

               (b) CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE SHARES. For purposes of calculating
the maximum number of shares of Stock which may be issued under the Plan, the
shares issued (including the shares, if any, withheld for tax withholding
requirements) upon exercise of an Option shall be counted.

               (c) RESTORATION OF UNPURCHASED SHARES. If an Option expires or
terminates for any reason prior to its exercise in full and before the term of
the Plan expires, the shares of Stock subject to, but not issued wader, such
Option shall, without further action by or on behalf of the Company, again be
available under the Plan.

        1.3 APPROVAL; AMENDMENTS

               (a) APPROVAL BY STOCKHOLDERS. The Plan shall be submitted to the
stockholders of the Company for their approval at a regular or special meeting
to be held within 12 months after the adoption of the Plan by the Board.
Stockholder approval shall be evidenced by the affirmative vote at the holders
of a majority of the shares of the Company's Stock present in person or by proxy
and voting at the meeting. The date such stockholder approval has been obtained
shaft be referred to herein as the "Effective Date."

               (b) COMMENCEMENT OF PROGRAMS. The Grant Program Shall commence
immediately.

               (c) AMENDMENTS TO PLAN. The Board may, without action on the part
of the Company's stockholders, make such amendments to, changes in and additions
to the Plan as it may, from time to time, deem necessary or appropriate and in
the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that the Board may not,
without the consent of the applicable Optionholder, take any action which
disqualifies any Option previously granted under the Plan for treatment as an
Incentive Stock Option or which adversely affects or impairs the rights of the
Optionholder of any Option outstanding under the Plan, and further provided
that, except as provided in Article III hereof, the Board may not, without the
approval of the Company's stockholders, (i) increase the aggregate number of
shares of Stock subject to the Plan, (ii) reduce the Exercise Price at which
Options may be granted or the Exercise Price at which any outstanding Option may
be exercised, (iii) extend the term of the Plan, (iv) change the class of
persons eligible to receive Options under the Plan, or (v) materially increase
the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Options may be granted under this Plan to purchase shares of Stock in
excess of the number of shares then available for issuance under the Plan if (A)
an amendment to increase the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan is
adopted by the Board prior to a initial grant of any such Option and within one
year thereafter


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such amendment is approved by the Company's stockholders, and (B) each such
Option granted is not to become exercisable or vested, in whole or in part, at
any time prior to the obtaining of such stockholder approval.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                  GRANT PROGRAM

        2.1 PARTICIPANTS; ADMINISTRATION

               (a) ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Options may be granted only to
persons ("Eligible Persons") who, at the time of grant, are employees of the
Company (or Parent or Subsidiary Corporations); provided, however, the maximum
number of shares of Stock with respect to which Options may be granted to any
employee during the term of the Plan shall not exceed 50 percent of the shares
of Stock covered by and is issuable under the Plan as specified in Section
1.2(a) hereof. A Plan Administrator shall have full authority to determine which
Eligible Persons in its administered group are to receive Option grants under
the Plan, the number of shares to be covered by each such grant, whether or not
the granted Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option, the time or times at
which each such Option is to become exercisable, and the maximum term for which
the Option is to be outstanding.

               (b) GENERAL ADMINISTRATION. The power to administer the Grant
Program shall be vested with the Board or a committee designated by the Board.
The Board may appoint a Senior Committee ("Senior Committee"), which may, at the
discretion of the Board, be constituted so as to comply wish the applicable
requirements of Rule 16b-3 and Code Section 162(m), and the Board may delegate
to such Senior Committee the power to administer the Grant Program with respect
to Eligible Persons who are Affiliates and/or non-Affiliates. The Board may also
appoint an Employee Committee ("Employee Committee") of two or more persons who
are members of the Board and delegate to such Employee Committee the power to
administer the Grant Program with respect to Eligible Persons that are not
Affiliates for purposes of this Plan, the term "Affiliates" shall mean all
"officers" (as that term is defined in Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the 1934
Act), all "covered persons" (as that term is defined in Code Section 162(m)),
directors of the Company, and all persons who own 10 percent or more of the
Company's issued and outstanding equity securities.

               (c) PLAN ADMINISTRATORS. The Board, the Senior Committee, the
Employee Committee, and/or any other committee allowed hereunder, whichever is
applicable, shall be each referred to herein as a "Plan Administrator." Each
Plan Administrator shall have the authority and discretion, with respect to its
administered group, to select which Eligible Persons shall participate in the
Grant Program, to grant Options under the Grant Program, to establish such rules
and regulations as they may deem appropriate with respect to the proper
administration of the Grant Program and to make such determinations under, and
issue such interpretations of, the Grant Program and any outstanding Option as
they may deem necessary or advisable. Unless otherwise required by law or
specified by the Board with respect to any committee, decisions among the
members of a Plan Administrator shall be by majority vote. Decisions of a Plan
Administrator shall be final and binding on all parties who have an interest in
the Grant Program or any outstanding Option. The Senior Committee, the Employee
committee,


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and/or any other committee allowed hereunder, in their respective sole
discretion, may make specific grants of Options conditioned on approval of a
Board.

               The Board may establish an additional committee or committees of
persons who are members of the Board and delegate to such other committee or
committees the power to administer all or a portion of the Grant program with
respect to all or a portion of the Eligible Persons. Members of the Senior
Committee, Employee Committee, or any other committee allowed hereunder shall
serve for such period of time as the Board may determine and shall be subject to
removal by the Board at any time. The Board may, at any time, terminate all or a
portion of the functions of the Senior Committee, the Employee Committee, or any
other committee allowed hereunder and reassume all or a portion of powers and
authority previously delegated to such committee.

               (d) GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION. In designating and selecting
Eligible Persons for participation in the Grant Program, a Plan Administrator
shall consult with and give consideration to the recommendations and criticisms
submitted by appropriate managerial and executive officers of the Company. A
Plan Administrator also shall take into account the duties and responsibilities
of the Eligible Persons, their past, present and potential contributions to the
success of the Company and such other factors as a Plan Administrator shall deem
relevant in connection with accomplishing the purpose of the Plan.

        2.2 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

               (a) ALLOTMENT OF SHARES. A Plan Administrator shall determine the
number of shares of Stock to be optioned from time to time and the number of
shares to be optioned to any Eligible Person (the "Optioned Shares"). The grant
of a Option to a person shall neither entitle such person to, nor disqualify
such person from, participation in any other grant of Options under this Plan or
any other stock option plan of the Company.

               (b) EXERCISE PRICE. Upon the grant of my Option, a Plan
Administrator shall specify the price ("Exercise Price") to be paid for each
share of Stock upon the exercise of such Option. The Exercise Price may not be
less than 100 percent of the fair market value per share of the Stock on the
date the Option is granted if the Option (i) is intended to qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option, and/or (ii) is intended to qualify for the
"performance-based compensation" exception to the tax deduction limits of Code
Section 162(m). If the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option and is granted to a stockholder, who at the time the Option is granted,
owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company) (or of any Parent
or Subsidiary Corporation), the Exercise Price shall not be less than 110
percent of the fair market value per share of Stock on the date chat the Option
is granted. The determination of the fair market value of the Stock shall be
made in accordance with the valuation provisions of Section 3.5 hereof.

               (c) INDIVIDUAL STOCK OPTION AGREEMENTS. Options granted under the
Plan shall be evidenced by option agreements in such form and content as a Plan
Administrator from time to time approves, which agreements shall substantially
comply with and be subject to the terms of the Plan, including the terms and
conditions of this Section 2.2. As determined by a Plan Administrator, each
option agreement shall state (i) the total number of shares to which it


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pertains, (ii) the Exercise Price for the shares covered by the Option, (iii)
the time at which the Options vest and become exercisable, and (iv) the Option's
scheduled expiration date. The option agreements may contain such other
provisions or conditions as a Plan Administrator deems necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the sense and purpose of the Plan, including without limitation,
covenants by the Optionholder not to compete and remedies for the Company in the
event of the breach of any such covenant, and a requirement that any partial
exercise of an Option be for no Less than 20% of the total number of shares
originally subject to such Option.

               (d) OPTION PERIOD. No Option granted wader the Plan that is
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable for a period in
excess of 10 years from the date of its grant (five years if the Option is
granted to a stockholder who at the time the Option is granted owns or is deemed
to own stuck possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary
Corporation), subject to earlier termination in the event of termination of
employment, retirement or death of the Optionholder. A Option may be exercised
in full or is part at any time or from time to time during the term of the
Option or provide for its exercise in stated installments at stated times during
the Option's term.

               (e) VESTING; LIMITATIONS. The tame at which the Optioned Shares
vest with respect to an Optionholder shall be in the discretion of that
Optionholder's Plan Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent
a Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, the aggregate fair
market value (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of the
Stock for which one or more Options granted to any person under this Plan (or
any other option plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary Corporation)
may for the first time become exercisable as Incentive Stock Options during any
one calendar year shall not exceed the sum of $100,000 (referred to herein as
the "$100,000 Limitation"). To the extent that any person holds two or more
Options which become exercisable for the first time in the same calendar year,
the foregoing limitation on the exercisability as an Incentive Stock Option
shall be applied on the basis of the order in which such Options are granted.

               (f) NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. Options shall be exercisable only for
whole shares: no fractional shares will be issuable upon exercise of any Option
granted under the Plan.

               (g) METHOD OF EXERCISE. In order to exercise a Option with
respect to any vested Optioned Shares, an Optionholder (or in the case of an
exercise after an Optionholder's death, such Optionholder's executor,
administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) must take the following
action:

                      (i) execute and deliver to the Company a written notice of
exercise signed in writing by the person exercising the Option specifying the
number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised;

                      (ii) pay the aggregate Exercise Price in one of the
alternate forms as set forth in Section 2.2(h) below; and

                      (iii) furnish appropriate documentation that the person or
persons exercising the Option (if other than the Optionholder) has the right to
exercise such Option.


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As soon as practicable after the Exercise Date, the Company shall mail or
deliver to or on behalf of the Optionholder (or any other person or persons
exercising this Option in accordance herewith) a certificate or certificates
representing the Stock for which the Option has been exercised in accordance
with the provisions of this Plan. In no event may any Option be exercised for
any fractional shares.

               (h) PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE. The aggregate Exercise Price shall
be payable in one of the alternative forms specified below:

                      (i) Full payment in cash or check made payable to the
Company's order; or

                      (ii) To the extent permitted by the Plant Administrator,
in its sole and unrestricted discretion, full payment in shares of Stock held
for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company's reported
earnings and valued at fair market value on the Exercise Date (as determined in
accordance with Section 3.5 hereof); or

                      (iii) If a cashless exercise program has been implemented
by the Board and to the extent permitted by the Plan Administrator, in its sole
and unrestricted discretion, full payment through a sale and remittance
procedure pursuant to which the Optionholder (A) shall provide irrevocable
written instructions to a designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale
of a Optioned Shares to be purchased and remitted to the Company, out of the
sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the
aggregate Exercise Price payable for the Optioned Shares to be purchased, and
(B) shall concurrently provide written directives to the Company to deliver the
certificates for the Optioned Shares to be purchased directly to such brokerage
firm in order to complete a sale transaction.

               (i) REPURCHASE RIGHT. The Plan Administrator may, in its sole
discretion, set forth other terms and conditions upon which the Company (or its
assigns) shall have the right to repurchase shares of Stock acquired by as
Optionholder pursuant to an Option. Any repurchase right of the Company shall be
exercisable by the Company (or its assignees) upon such terms and conditions as
the Plan Administrator may specify in the Stock Repurchase Agreement evidencing
such right. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, also establish as a
term and condition of one or more Options granted under the Plan that the
Company shall have a right of first refusal with respect to any proposed sale or
other disposition by the Optionholder of any shares of Stock issued upon the
exercise of such Options. Any such right of first refusal shall be exercisable
by the Company (or its assigns) in accordance with the terms and conditions set
forth in the Stock Repurchase Agreement.

               (j) TERMINATION OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

                      (i) TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If any Optionholder teas to be
in Service to the Company for a reason other than death, the Optionholder's
vested Incentive Stock Options on the date of termination of such Service shall
remain exercisable for no more than 90 days after the date of termination of
such Service or unfit the stated expiration date of the Optionholder's Option,
whichever occurs first; provided, that (i) if Optionholder is discharged for
Cause, or (ii) if after the Service of the Optionholder is terminated, the
Optionholder commits


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acts detrimental to the Company's interests, then the Incentive Stock Option
shall thereafter be void for all purposes. The Company shall have "Cause" to
discharge the Optionholder for (A) commission of a crime by the Optionholder or
for reasons involving moral turpitude; (B) an act by the Optionholder which
tends to bring the Company into disrepute; or (C) negligent, fraudulent or
willful misconduct by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any
Optionholder ceases to be in Service to the Company by reason of permanent
disability within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3) (as determined by the
applicable Plan Administrator), the Optionholder shall have up to 180 days after
the dace of termination of Service, but in no event after a stated expiration
date of the Optionholder's Incentive Stock Options, to exercise Incentive Stock
Options that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise on the date the
Optionholder's Service terminal as a result of such disability.

                      (ii) DEATH OF OPTIONHOLDER. If an Optionholder dies while
in the Company's Service, the Optionholder's vested Incentive Stock Options as
of the date of death shall remain exercisable up to one year after the date of
death or until the stated expiration date of the Optionholder's Option,
whichever occurs first, and may be exercised only by the person or persons
("Successors") to whom the Optionholder's rights pass under a will or by the
laws of descent and distribution. The Option may be exercised and payment of the
Exercise Price made in full by the Successors only after written notice to the
Company specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Such notice shall state
that the Exercise Plan is being paid in full in the manner specified in Section
2.2 hereof. As soon as practicable after receipt by the Company of such notice
and payment in full of the Exercise Price, a certificate or certificates
representing the Optioned Shares shall be registered in the name or names
specified by the Successors in the written notice of exercise and shall be
delivered to the Successors.

               (k) TERMINATION OF NONQUALIFIED OPTIONS. Any Options, which are
not Incentive Stock Options and are outstanding at the time an Optionholder dies
while in Service to the Company or otherwise ceases to be in Service to the
Company, shall remain exercisable for such period of time thereafter as
determined by the Plan Administrator at the time of grant and set forth in the
documents evidencing such Options; provided, however, that no Option shall be
exercisable after the Option's stated expiration date, and provided further,
that if the Optionholder is discharged for Cause or, if after the Optionholder's
Service to the Company is terminated, the Optionholder commits acts detrimental
to the Company's interests, then the Option will thereafter be void for all
purposes.

               (l) OTHER PLAN PROVISIONS STILL APPLICABLE. If an Option is
exercised upon the termination of Service or death of an Optionholder under this
Section 2.2, the other provisions of the Plan shall still be applicable to such
exercise, including the requirement that the Optionholder or his or her
Successor may be required to enter into a Stock Repurchase Agreement.

               (m) DEFINITION OF "SERVICE." For purposes of this Plan, unless
otherwise provided in the option agreement with the Optionholder, the
Optionholder shall be deemed to be in "Service" to the Company so long as such
individual renders continuous services on a periodic basis to the Company (or to
any Parent or Subsidiary Corporation) in the capacity of an employee, director,
or an independent consultant or advisor. In the discretion of a Plan
Administrator, an Optionholder shall be considered to be rendering continuous
services to the


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Company even if the type of services change, e.g., from employee to independent
consultant. The Optionholder shall be considered to be an employee for so long
as such individual remains in the employ of the Company or one or more of its
Parent or Subsidiary Corporations.

               (n) TAX REIMBURSEMENT BONUS. The Plan Administrator may, with the
consent of the Board, cause the Company to pay a cash bonus to an Optionholder
for the purpose of paying ail or a portion of any federal, state or local tax
due with respect to the grant, exercises or disposition of an Option, the
disposition of shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of as Option, and/or
any payment made under this Section 2.2(n).

                                   ARTICLE III

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        3.1 CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS. The aggregate number of shares of Stock subject
to the Plan, the number of shares covered by outstanding Options, and the
Exercise Price stated in such Options shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Stock of the Company
resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or any other capital
adjustment or the payment of a stock dividend or any other increase or decrease
in the number of such shares effected without the Company's receipt of
consideration therefor in money, services or property.

        3.2 MERGERS, ETC. If the Company is the surviving corporation in any
merger or consolidation (not including a Corporate Transaction), any Option
granted under the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the securities to which a
holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Option would have been
entitled prior to the merger or consolidation. Except as provided in Section 3.3
hereof, a dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall cause every Option
outstanding hereunder to terminate.

        3.3 CORPORATE TRANSACTION. In the event of stockholder approval of a
Corporate Transaction, the Plan Administrator shall have the discretion and
authority, exercisable at any time, to provide for the automatic acceleration of
one or more of the outstanding Options granted by it under the Plan. Upon the
consummation of the Corporate Transaction, all Options shall, to the extent not
previously exercised, terminate and cease to be outstanding.

        3.4 CHANGE IN CONTROL

               (a) GRANT PROGRAM. A Plan Administrator shall have the discretion
and authority, exercisable at any time, whether before or after a Change in
Control, to provide for the automatic acceleration of one or more outstanding
Options granted by it under the Plan in the vent of a Change in Control. A Plan
Administrator may also impose limitations upon the automatic acceleration of
such Options to the extent it deems appropriate. Any Options accelerated upon a
Change in Control shall remain fully exercisable until the expiration or sooner
termination of the Option term.

               (b) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION LIMITS. The exercisability of any
Options which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options and which are
accelerated by the Plan Administrator in connection with a pending Corporation
Transaction or Change in Control shall,


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except as otherwise provided in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, remain
subject to the $100,000 Limitation and vest as quickly as possible without
violating the $100,000 Limitation.

        3.5 CALCULATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE OF STOCK. The fair market value of
a share of Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance with the
following provisions:

               (a) If the Stock is not at the time listed or admitted to trading
on any stock exchange but is traded in the over-the-counter market, the fair
market value shall be the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked prices
(or, if such information is available, the closing selling price) per share of
Stock on the date in question in the over-the-counter market, as such prices are
report d by the National Association of Securities Dealers through its Nasdaq
system or any successor system. If there are no reported bid and asked prices
(or closing selling price) for the Stock on the date in question, then the mean
between the highest bid price and lowest asked price (or the closing selling
price) on the last preceding date for which such quotations exist shall be
determinative of fair market value.

               (b) If the Stock is at the time listed or admitted to trading on
any stock exchange, then the fair market value shall be the closing selling
price per share of Stock on the date in question on the stock exchange
determined by the Board to be the primary market for the Stock, as such price is
officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange. If
there is no reported sale of Stock on such exchange on the date in question,
then the fair market value shall be the closing selling price on the exchange on
the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

               (c) If the Stock at the time is neither listed nor admitted to
trading on any stock exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, then
the fair market value shall be determined by the Board after taking into account
such factors as the Board shall deem appropriate.

        3.6 USE OF PROCEED. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale
of Stock pursuant to the exercise of Options hereunder, if any, shall be used
for general corporate purposes.

        3.7 CANCELLATION OF OPTIONS. Each Plan Administrator shall have the
authority to effect, at any time and from time to time, with the consent of the
affected Optionholder, the cancellation of any or all outstanding Options
granted under the Plan and to grant in substitution therefore new Options under
the Plan covering the same or different numbers of shares of Stock as long as
such new Options have an Exercise Price that is no less than the minimum
Exercise Price as set forth in Section 2.2(b) hereof on the new grant date.

        3.8 REGULATORY APPROVALS. The implementation of the Plan, the granting
of any Option hereunder, and the issuance of Stock upon the exercise of any such
Option shall be subject to the procurement by the Company of all requisite
approvals and permits.

        3.9 INDEMNIFICATION. Each and every member of a Plan Administrator, in
addition to such other available rights of indemnification, shall be indemnified
and held harmless by the Company, to the extent permitted under applicable law,
for, from and against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection
with any action, suit, or other legal proceeding to


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which any member thereof may be a party by reason of any action taken, failure
to act under or in connection with the Plan or any rights granted thereunder and
against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof or paid by them in
satisfaction of a judgment of any such action, suit or proceeding, except a
judgment based upon a finding of bad faith.

        3.10 PLAN NOT EXCLUSIVE. This Plan is not intended to be the exclusive
means by which the Company may issue options to acquire its Stock. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, other options or awards may be issued by the
Company other than pursuant to this Plan without stockholder approval.

        3.11 COMPANY RIGHTS. The grants of Options shall in no way affect the
right of the Company to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its
capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or
sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

        3.12 PRIVILEGE OF STOCK OWNERSHIP. An Optionholder shall not have any of
the rights of a stockholder with respect to Optioned Shares until such
individual shall have exercised the Option and paid the Exercise Price for the
Optioned Shares. No adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights for
which the record date is prior to the date of such exercise and full payment for
such Optioned Shares.

        3.13 ASSIGNMENT. Except as may be specifically allowed by the Plan
Administrator and set forth in the documents evidencing an Option. no Option
granted under the Plan or any of the rights and privileges conferred thereby
shall be assignable or transferable by an Optionholder or grantee other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution. and such Option shall be
exercisable during the Optionholder's or grantee's lifetime only by the
Optionholder or grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock
Option granted under the Plan or any of the rights and privileges conferred
thereby shall be assignable or transferable by an Optionholder or grantee other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Incentive Stock
Option shall be exercisable during the Optionholder's or grantee's lifetime only
by the Optionholder or grantee. The provisions of the Plan shall inure to the
benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company and its successors or assigns, and
the Optionholders, the legal representatives of their respective estates, their
respective heirs or legatees and their permitted assignees.

        3.14 SECURITIES RESTRICTIONS

               (a) LEGEND ON CERTIFICATES. All certificates representing shares
of Stock issued upon exercise of Options granted under the Plan shall be
endorsed with a legend reading as follows:

               THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE
               BEEN ISSUED TO THE REGISTERED OWNER IN RELIANCE UPON WRITTEN
               REPRESENTATIONS THAT THESE SHARES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED SOLELY FOR
               INVESTMENT. THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED
               UNLESS IN THE OPINION OF THE COMPANY AND ITS LEGAL COUNSEL SUCH
               SALE, TRANSFER


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               OR ASSIGNMENT WILL NOT BE IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF
               1933, AS AMENDED, AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER.

               (b) PRIVATE OFFERING FOR INVESTMENT ONLY. The Options are and
shall be made available only to a limited number of present and future employees
who have knowledge of the Company's financial condition, management and its
affairs. The Plan is not intended to provide additional capital for the Company,
but to encourage ownership of Stock among the Company's employees. By the act of
accepting an Option, each grantee agrees (i) that any shares of Stock acquired
pursuant to any Option will be solely acquired for investment and not with any
intention to resell or redistribute those shares, and (ii) such intention will
be confirmed by an appropriate certificate at the time the Stock is acquired if
requested by the Company. The neglect or failure to execute such a certificate,
however, shall not limit or negate the foregoing agreement.

               (c) REGISTRATION STATEMENT. If a Registration Statement covering
a shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of Options granted under the Plan is
filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is declared effective by
the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, the provisions of Sections 3.14(a) and
(b) shall terminate during the period of time that such Registration Statement,
as periodically amended, remains effective.

        3.15 TAX WITHHOLDING

               (a) GENERAL. The Company's obligation to deliver Stock upon the
exercise of Options under the Plan shall be subject to the satisfaction of all
applicable United States, Canadian, state, provincial, and local income tax
withholding requirements.

               (b) SHARES TO PAY FOR WITHHOLDING. The Plan Administrator may, in
its discretion and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.15(b) and
such supplemental rules as it may from time to time adopt, provide any or all
Optionholders with the right to use shares of Stock in satisfaction of all or
part of the United States, Canadian, state, provincial, and local income tax
liabilities ("Taxes") incurred by such Optionholders in connection with the
exercise of their Options. Such right may be provided to Optionholders in either
or both of the following formats:

                      (i) STOCK WITHHOLDING. The Plan Administrator may, in its
discretion, provide the Optionholder with the election to have the Company
withhold, from the Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of an Option, a
portion of those shares of Stock with an aggregate fair market value equal to
the percentage (not to exceed 100 percent) of the applicable Taxes designated by
the Optionholder.

                      (ii) STOCK DELIVERY. The Plan Administrator may, in its
discretion, provide the Optionholder with the election to deliver to the
Company, at the time the Option is exercised, one or more shares of Stock
previously acquired by such individual (other than pursuant to the transaction
triggering Taxes) with an aggregate fair market value equal to the percentage
(not to exceed 100 percent) of the Taxes incurred in connection with such Option
exercise as designated by the Optionholder.


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<PAGE>   12

        3.16 GOVERNING LAW. The Plan shall be governed by and all questions
thereunder shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   DEFINITIONS

               The following capitalized terms used in this Plan shall have the
meaning described below:

               "AFFILIATES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)
hereof.

               "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

               "CAUSE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(j)(i)
hereof.

               "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean and include the following
transactions or situations (i) a person or related group of persons, other than
the Company or a person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by,
or under common control with the Company, acquires ownership of 40 percent or
more of the Company's outstanding common stock pursuant to a tender or exchange
offer which the Board of Directors recommends that the Company's stockholders
not accept, or (ii) the change in the composition of the Board occurs such that
those individuals who were elected to the Board at the last stockholders'
meeting at which there was not a contested election for Board membership
subsequently ceased to comprise a majority of the Board by reason of a contested
election.

               "CODE" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

               "COMPANY" shall mean Novatel Wireless, Inc. a Delaware
corporation.

               "CORPORATE TRANSACTION" shall mean (a) a merger or consolidation
in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the
principal purposes of which is to change the state in which the Company is
incorporated; (b) the sale, transfer of or other disposition of, all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, or (c) any reverse merger in which the Company is
the surviving entity but in which the securities possessing snore than 50
percent of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding
securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held
such securities immediately prior to such merger.

               "EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean the date that the Plan has been
approved by the stockholders as set forth in Section 1.3(a) hereof.

               "ELIGIBLE PERSONS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.1(a) hereof.

               "EMPLOYEE COMMITTEE" shall mean that committee appointed by the
Board to administer the Plan with respect to the Non-Affiliates and comprised of
two or more persons who are members of the Board.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

               "EXERCISE DATE" shall be the date on which written notice of the
exercise of an Option is delivered to the Company in accordance with the
requirements of the Plan.

               "EXERCISE PRICE" shall mean the Exercise Price per share as
specified by the Plan Administrator pursuant to Section 2.2(b) hereof.

               "GRANT PROGRAM" shall mean the program described in this Plan
pursuant to which Eligible Persons are granted Options in the discretion of the
Plan Administrator.

               "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" shall mean an Option that is intended to
qualify as an "incentive stock option" under Code Section 422.

               "$100,000 LIMITATION" shall mean the limitation pursuant to which
the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the respective date or dates
of grant) of the Stock for which one or more Options granted to any persons
under this Plan (or any other option plan of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary Corporation) may for the first time be exercisable as Incentive Stock
Options during any one calendar year shall not exceed the sum of $100,000.

               "OPTIONED SHARES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.2(a) hereof.

               "OPTIONHOLDER" shall mean an Eligible Person to whom Options have
been granted.

               "OPTIONS" shall mean options to acquire Stock granted under the
Plan.

               "PARENT CORPORATION" shall mean any corporation in the unbroken
chain of corporations ending with the employer corporation, where, at each link
of the chain, the corporation and the link above owns at least 50 percent of the
combined total voting power of all classes of the stock in the corporation in
the link below.

               "PLAN" shall mean this stock option plan for Novatel Wireless,
Inc.

               "PLAN ADMINISTRATOR" shall mean (a) either the Board, the Senior
Committee, or any other committee, whichever is applicable, with respect to the
administration of the Grant Program as it relates to Affiliates, and (b) either
the Board, the Senior Committee, the Employee Committee, or any other committee,
whichever is applicable, with respect to the administration of the Grant Program
as it relates to Non-Affiliates.

               "RULE 16b-3" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(e)
hereof.

               "SENIOR COMMITTEE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.1(b) hereof.

               "SERVICE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(m)
hereof.

               "STOCK" shall mean shares of the Company's common stock, $.001
par value per share, which may be unissued or treasury shares, as the Board may
from time to time determine.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

               "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" shall mean any corporation in the
unbroken chain of corporations starting with the employer corporation, where, at
each link of the chain, the corporation and the link above owns at least 50
percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock in the corporation
below.

               "SUCCESSORS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.21(j)(ii) hereof.

               "TAXES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(b)
hereof.

               EXECUTED as of the 2nd day of June, 1997.

                                   NOVATEL WIRELESS, INC.


                                   By: /s/
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                   Its: President

ATTESTED BY:

/s/
------------------------------
Its: Secretary





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