On the Road Nextel Rolls Out Nationwide Direct Connect(tm), Families Can Take Advantage of Long-Range Two-Way Radio Capabilities
This spring and summer, as travel heats up and families get on the road, Nextel and Nationwide Direct ConnectTM-the only long-range, digital walkie-talkie feature of its kind-gives you the ability to stay connected instantly at the touch of a button. Whether you're at work or traveling to your favorite vacation destination, Direct Connect(tm) offers instant connectivity anywhere on Nextel's nationwide network.
With the roll out of Phase One of Nextel's Nationwide Direct Connect service now complete, Nextel customers can use the innovative push-to-talk feature when traveling outside their existing service areas. For instance, New York customers who travel to Florida can now use their Nextel Direct Connect service to stay in touch while on vacation.
The enhancement of Direct Connect to include traveling and coast-to-coast capabilities is occurring across the United States in two phases:
Phase One (On the Road)-Use Nationwide Direct Connect service when you're in another market to contact Nextel customers there. This feature is currently available in all Nextel markets.
Phase Two (Nationwide)-Use the Nationwide Direct Connect feature to contact Nextel customers anywhere on the Nextel national network, from coast-to-coast. Customers will be able to Direct Connect from Florida to places as far away as New York, San Francisco and Hawaii, all with the same instant connectivity as the original Direct Connect feature. Nationwide Direct Connect will be available in all Nextel markets by the third quarter of 2003. "For the family traveler, it's an added convenience as well as an important safety feature," said Tom Gawronski, Nextel regional vice president. "Family members can visit separate parks or attractions miles away from one another and still communicate instantly using the unique walkie-talkie service."
Phase Two of the Nationwide Direct Connect rollout will begin in June of 2003. At that time, Nextel customers will be able to use the Direct Connect feature to instantly connect with anyone on Nextel's national network, regardless of the sender's or receiver's location.
"Nationwide Direct Connect is revolutionizing the way people communicate," said Barry West, executive vice president and chief technology officer at Nextel. "It's instant and it's truly long-range."
Nextel's 4-in-1 communications offering is supported by Motorola's iDEN (integrated digital enhanced network) technology. This unique integration of digital cellular, Nextel Direct Connect®, Nextel Online® wireless data and messaging services provides an unmatched set of services for the business user, available in one pocket-sized digital wireless phone.
About Nextel
Nextel Communications, a Fortune 300 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc., currently serve 197 of the top 200 U.S. markets. Through recent market launches, Nextel and Nextel Partners service is available today in areas of the U.S. where approximately 240 million people live or work.
About Motorola and iDEN
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2001 were $30 billion.
iDEN handsets combine the capabilities of a digital wireless phone with "always on" Internet access, text pager, and two-way radio to enable users to instantly communicate with one or hundreds of individuals at the push of a button. For further information on iDEN handsets, visit www.motorola.com/iden.
