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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BVZwwLxvQJ4axwhvLyguEeLHKug+941Vclrj2EPRjNJ8Etbk2afqzy3+GXc68y71
 YbBb1pSC+KTy/3x0PSidOg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001170918-03-000378.txt : 20030724
<SEC-HEADER>0001170918-03-000378.hdr.sgml : 20030724
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030724155607
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001170918-03-000378
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030722
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030724

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PUDWILL HORST J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001237317

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-31659
		FILM NUMBER:		03801022

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		STE 1806 CENTRAL PLAZA
		STREET 2:		18 HARBOUR RD
		CITY:			WANCHAI, HONG KONG
		STATE:			K3
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		85228029068

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOVATEL WIRELESS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001022652
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC. [7370]
		IRS NUMBER:				860824673
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9255 TOWNE CENTRE DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 225
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8583208800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9255 TOWNE CENTRE DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 225
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92121
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>nwi03-023_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   04/22/03  TZ    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-07-22</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001022652</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOVATEL WIRELESS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NVTL</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
      <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001237317</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PUDWILL HORST J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
       </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>4.4990</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-07-22</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
         <value>2003-07-22</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>85000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>4.4990</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2003-07-22</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-07-22</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>85000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>85000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
   <footnotes>
<footnote id="F1"> The options were issued pursuant to the amended and restated Novatel Wireless, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. 20% of the options subject to this grant vest 6 months following the vesting commencement date and 1/30th of the balance of the grant vests monthly thereafter. The vesting commencement date was July 22, 2003.</footnote>

<footnote id="F2"> Represents the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Patrick T. Waters, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-07-24</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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