Mobility Phones - Mobile Phones

Sprint announced today the coming availability of four new Nextel Direct Connect phones, powered by Qualcomm’s QChat technology, to customers in 40+ markets across the country. The LX400 by LG, Z400 by Samsung, and PRO-200 and PRO-700 by Sanyo will be available June 15 for purchase by all new and existing customers in Sprint retail stores in the designated markets. These new phones incorporate Nextel Direct Connect services, the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint’s largest voice calling area, giving customers a wider selection of phones to meet their productivity needs with connection in less than one second to millions of existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers nationwide.”Instant connections help customers get things done more efficiently, and these new phones allow us to continue to deliver on the gold standard of instant push-to-talk connectivity on the Now Network,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product and technology development for Sprint. “In addition to delivering on this instant connectivity, these new phones also add the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint’s largest voice calling area so customers can do even more, faster.”

The new phones allow customers to make Direct Connect calls with the world’s largest push-to-talk community and will be available June 15 through Sprint retail stores, direct sales or telesales.

Phones

* LX400 by LG - The LX400 by LG is packaged in a slender form factor and enables Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk services. The phone also includes key features such as a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, GPS capabilities and noise reduction capabilities. This phone is available for as low as $79.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

* Z400 by Samsung - Ultra-rugged push-to-talk choices expand with the Z400 by Samsung, which is certified to Military specification 810F for dust, shock and vibration. Customers also have added benefits of a 1.3 megapixel camera, Sprint Navigation and Bluetooth support in this clamshell handset. This phone is available for as low as $99.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

* PRO-200 by Sanyo - Sporting an attractive, slim clamshell form factor, the Pro-200 by Sanyo delivers instant Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk services and key functionalities including Bluetooth, messaging capabilities and mobile email. This phone is available for as low as $49.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

* PRO-700 by Sanyo - Recognizing that instant communication is needed in sometimes harsh environments, Sprint is offering this rugged phone certified to military standards for dust, shock and vibration. This phone is available for as low as $79.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

Sprint plans to expand availability of these phones in additional markets and channels through the remainder of 2008. Customers can sign up to be notified of availability in additional markets at www.sprint.com/instantconnect.

Service Features

These new phones will continue to provide industry-leading push-to-talk performance, while operating on certain Rev. A portions of the Sprint Mobile Broadband network (except in Puerto Rico). Compared to other providers, Sprint’s expanded Nextel Direct Connect capable device portfolio offers significantly faster call set-up times of less than one second and one-to-one interoperability with the world’s largest established push-to-talk community. Features available on these handsets include:

* Direct Connect: Instant one-to-one push-to-talk communication that is interoperable with the millions of existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers. Direct Connect provides the call set-up times of less than one second that customers have come to rely on to boost productivity and save time and money.

* Call Alerts: A repeating alert that users can send to let another Nextel Direct Connect subscriber know they are trying to reach them.

* Group Connect: Unique one-to-many capability of Group Connect that helps customers quickly communicate with up to 20 other Nextel Direct Connect users all at once. Users of the new phones can create and manage Group Connect groups on the phone or online. At this time, these new phones are not interoperable with Nextel or PowerSource phones for Group Connect services.

In addition, with these new phones, customers have the ability to take advantage of Sprint’s largest voice calling area and the blazing data speeds of Sprint Mobile Broadband. Sprint Mobile Broadband brings customers instant gratification so they can get what they want when they want it, with fast file downloads, Web browsing, email access and more.

Other new features exclusive to the new phones include:

* Single number option: If they wish, most customers purchasing these new phones can choose the simplicity of having one phone number for voice and push-to-talk calls. If preferred, customers can opt to have a separate Direct Connect number.

* TeamDC: This more formal one-to-many feature allows up to 35 Nextel Direct Connect subscribers to communicate via PTT at the same time - nationwide, quickly and easily. Customers create and manage groups online, then all members of the group receive a notification and can access the group. TeamDC is only available on these new phones and is not interoperable with Nextel or PowerSource phones.

* DC Permissions: Customers have the ability to block/allow incoming one-to-one push-to-talk calls and Call Alerts with the new phones.

* DC Missed Call Notification: - When on a Nextel Direct Connect call, customers receive a notification if they miss a push-to-talk call, Call Alert or Group call.

* Call Alerts with Text: With the new Call Alerts with Text feature, customers can attach one of several preset text messages, such as “Please stop by,” to Call Alerts sent to users of NDC phones powered by the QChat technology.

* Sprint Mobile Sync: This easy-to-use online tool lets customers manage all of their contact information online, including setting up groups. Additionally, this feature automatically synchronizes with the phone, allowing for easier entry, easier access and full secure backup of contacts. Contacts automatically transfer if the customer moves to another Sprint Mobile Sync-capable phone.

Unlimited Direct Connect and Group Connect use is included at no additional charge in Everything plans starting at $69.99 per month, and Talk/Message/Direct Connect plans starting at $49.99 per month. Unlimited Direct Connect and Group Connect will be available for $10 per month with other Sprint plans.

*Not all features are available with all phones. Nextel Direct Connect capability is not available in all markets where these devices are sold. Customers should consult sales representative prior to purchase. Push-to-talk coverage varies depending on the user’s push-to-talk phone. Detailed coverage maps are available at www.sprint.com/coverage.

Offering customers industry leading push-to-talk performance and military-grade durability, Samsung Mobile today announced the upcoming availability of the Z400 by Samsung, exclusive to Sprint. The durable clamshell handset passed rigorous testing to meet military standards specifications (MIL-STD 810F) for resistance to dust, shock and vibration and is housed in a rubberized coating to reduce scratching and improve grip. The Z400 is Samsung’s first Nextel Direct Connect capable handset and also delivers the faster data speeds of Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint’s largest voice calling area.The Z400 operates on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, offering a variety of push-to-talk services and delivers on the Nextel Direct Connect gold standard of connections in less than a second. Nextel Direct Connect from Sprint provides a quick and reliable alternative for immediate communication with individuals or groups. It touts the fastest national push-to-talk network and connects the largest push-to-talk community in the world.

Taking pictures while on-the-go is easy thanks to a 1.3 megapixel camera with 2x digital zoom. The Z400 is also outfitted with a video camcorder for creating video clips to share with family and friends.

Enjoy hands-free communications with stereo Bluetooth Wireless technology, complete with call announce. The Z400 is compatible with headsets, car-kits and other Bluetooth-compatible devices. The call announce feature sounds an audio alert when an incoming call comes in.

The Z400 is designed with a dark blue finish and black rubber housing. The rubber coating improves grip and protects against scratching in rugged work environments. In addition to its unique design, the Z400 offers the following features for fast and simple communication:

* Single number option: Simplicity of using one number for both wireless phone calls and Nextel Direct Connect calls. All users can opt to maintain separate numbers if preferred. (This is not available for all numbers)

* PTT Missed Call Notification: When on a Nextel Direct Connect call, receive a notification that you missed a PTT call, Call Alert, or Group Connect call.

* DC Permissions: Ability to block/allow incoming one-to-one PTT calls and Call Alerts. (Not applicable for Group calls).

* Call Alert/Call Alert with Text: Send a repeating alert to let any other Nextel Direct Connect user know you are trying to reach them. With the new Text feature you can send canned text messages with a Call Alert. (Users must have a Nextel Direct Connect capable Sprint device to receive the text.)

* Group Connect: Communicate or coordinate activities with up to 20 other Nextel Direct Connect subscribers all at once - nationwide, quickly and easily. Create and manage groups dynamically on your phone or online. Group Connect participants must also have a Nextel Direct Connect capable Sprint device with the Group Connect feature.

* TeamDCSM: Communicate or coordinate activities with up to 35 Nextel Direct Connect subscribers at the same time - nationwide, quickly and easily. Create and manage groups online only. All TeamDC participants must also have a Nextel Direct Connect capable Sprint device with the TeamDC feature.

* Speakerphone: Hands-free mobile conversations are always available with the built-in speakerphone.

* SMS Text Messaging: Instantly send and receive SMS text messages across the room or around the country.

The Z400 by Samsung is now available in select markets through the Sprint direct sales force, Sprint Telesales at 1-800-SPRINT1 and Sprint Stores. Pricing for the Z400 is just $99.99 with a two-year service contract and a $50 mail-in-rebate. It measures 3.7″ x 1.9″ x 0.96″ and weighs 3.5 ounces.

Sprint announced the launch of two new Nextel Direct Connect(R) devices powered by Qualcomm’s QChat(R) technology, the Sanyo Pro-200 and the Sanyo Pro-700. Both phones are available now for purchase by large business customers through the Sprint direct sales force in Kansas and Colorado. These new Nextel Direct Connect devices incorporate the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint’s largest voice calling area, giving customers a wider selection of phones to instantly meet their productivity needs with connection in less than one second to millions of existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers nationwide.”Efficient work and social groups rely heavily on instant connections with each other, and QChat continues to deliver on this gold standard of push-to-talk connectivity on Sprint’s Now Network,” said John Garcia, chief marketing officer for Sprint. “In addition to delivering on this instantaneous connectivity, these new phones also add the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and a larger voice calling area so customers can do more, faster.”

The Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 provide industry-leading push-to-talk performance, while operating on Rev. A portions of the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (except in Puerto Rico). Compared to other providers, Sprint’s expanded Nextel Direct Connect portfolio continues to offer significantly faster call set-up times of less than one second and one-to-one interoperability with the world’s largest established push-to-talk community. Features available on these handsets include:

* Direct Connect(R): Instant one-to-one push-to-talk communication that is interoperable with the millions of existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers. Direct Connect provides the call set-up times of less than one second that customers have come to rely on to boost productivity and save time and money. * Call Alerts: A repeating alert that users can send to let another Nextel Direct Connect subscriber know they are trying to reach them. * Group Connect(R): Unique one-to-many capability of Group Connect that helps customers quickly communicate with up to 20 other Nextel Direct Connect users all at once. Group Connect groups can be created and managed dynamically on the device or online. At this time, these new devices are not interoperable with Nextel or PowerSource devices for Group Connect services.

In addition, with these new devices, customers have the ability to take advantage of Sprint’s largest voice calling area and the blazing data speeds of Sprint Mobile Broadband. Sprint Mobile Broadband brings customers instant gratification so they can get what they want when they want it, with fast file downloads, Web browsing, email access and more. The vast majority of Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Network has been upgraded to EV-DO Rev. A technology, providing users ultra-fast speeds on the nation’s largest mobile broadband network (based on covered square miles). The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 242 million people, 15,325 cities and 1,452 airports.

Other new features exclusive to the new Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 phones include:

* Single number option: If they wish, most customers purchasing these new devices can choose the simplicity of having one phone number for voice and push-to-talk calls on the Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700. If preferred, all Nextel Direct Connect subscribers can opt to have a separate Direct Connect number. * TeamDC: This more formal one-to-many feature allows up to 35 Nextel Direct Connect subscribers to communicate via PTT at the same time - nationwide, quickly and easily. Customers create and manage groups online, then all members of the group receive a notification and can access the group. TeamDC is only available on these new devices and is not interoperable with Nextel or PowerSource devices. * DC Permissions: Customers have the ability to block/allow incoming one-to-one push-to-talk calls and Call Alerts with the Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 phones. * PTT Missed Call Notification: - When on a Nextel Direct Connect call, customers receive a notification if they miss a push-to-talk call, Call Alert or Group call. * Call Alerts with Text: With the new Call Alerts with Text feature, customers can attach one of several preset text messages, such as “Please stop by,” to Call Alerts sent to other Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 users. * Sprint(R) Mobile Sync: This easy-to-use online tool lets customers manage all of their contact information online, including setting up groups. Additionally, this feature automatically synchronizes with the phone, allowing for easier entry, easier access and full secure backup of contacts. Contacts automatically transfer if the customer moves to another Sprint Mobile Sync-capable device.

The PRO-200 by Sanyo(R) sports an attractive, slim clamshell form factor and delivers instant Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk services and key functionalities including Bluetooth(R), messaging capabilities and mobile email. This device is available for as low as $49.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

The PRO-700 by Sanyo(R) is a rugged device certified to military standards for dust, shock and vibration. With instant Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk services, Bluetooth(R), messaging capabilities and mobile email, this device is available for as low as $69.99 with a two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

The Sanyo Pro-200 and the Sanyo Pro-700 are available now for purchase by enterprise customers through the Sprint direct sales force in Kansas and Colorado. Sprint plans to expand availability in additional markets and channels through the remainder of 2008. Customers can sign up to be notified of commercial availability in additional markets at www.sprint.com/instantconnect.

Nextel Direct Connect on these new phones is available at existing service prices. Unlimited Direct Connect is included at no additional charge in many Sprint pricing plans, including the new $99 Simply Everything(SM) plan, which also includes unlimited Group Connect and unlimited nationwide voice calling, messaging and data. For more information on Simply Everything plans, please visit: www.sprint.com/everything.

Additional Devices

Sprint plans to add additional handsets to the Nextel Direct Connect portfolio this summer, including:

* LX400 by LG - The LX400 by LG is packaged in a slender form factor and will enable Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk services. The device will also include key features such as a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, GPS capabilities and noise reduction capabilities. * Z400 by Samsung - Rugged push-to-talk choices expand with the Z400 by Samsung which has a professional-looking design that features rubber for a sure hold and added surface protection. Customers will also have added benefits of a 1.3 megapixel camera, Sprint Navigation and Bluetooth support in this clamshell handset. * Z700 by Samsung- The Z700 by Samsung brings together the convenience of instant, get-in/get-out communication, as well as a 2 megapixel camera, Sprint TV and Sprint Music Store, stereo Bluetooth, MicroSD memory card slot and external music control keys. * Motorola V950 - Durable, yet stylish exterior nature creates a unique “modern rugged” design. The Motorola V950 is slimmed down and suited up to perform anywhere, in the elements, on the job and on the go. The V950 also packs Stereo Bluetooth(R), a 2 megapixel camera, image spotlight and stand-alone GPS solutions to deliver a robust communications tool. Customers will also be able to enjoy Sprint Music Store, Sprint TV and the convenience of external music controls.

This selection of devices from leading manufacturers, with designs ranging from rugged phones that meet the rigors of military specifications to sleek new flip phones, will give customers new and exciting device choices with the same instant connection to the world’s largest push-to-talk community that they have come to expect from Nextel Direct Connect.

Boost Mobile, a lifestyle-based telecommunications brand and wholly-owned division of Sprint Nextel, today announced the launch of a new mobile advertising platform for mobile phones. Acura (www.acura.com), the advanced luxury automotive brand, and Fox Searchlight Pictures, a specialty film company that both finances and acquires motion pictures, are among the first companies to advertise on Boost Mobile’s mobile advertising platform.Amobee, a world leader in mobile advertising solutions for wireless service providers, is Boost’s official ad-selling and ad-serving partner. Amobee enables brands such as Boost Mobile to conduct relevant mobile advertising campaigns.

Boost Mobile and Amobee will work together to deliver ads to Boost Mobile’s 4.6 million consumers, the majority of which are under the age of 30, who will be able to interact and respond. The first ads, which are expected to appear today, will feature information on Fox Searchlight Pictures’ April 11 release of “Street Kings.” Shortly thereafter, consumers will begin seeing ads for Acura’s new 2009 TSX. Boost customers are not charged for viewing the advertisements, and they may opt-out from receiving advertisements by calling Boost customer service at 1-888-BOOST-4U.

Mobile advertising will appear initially on Boost Mobile’s BoostLIVE and Web Home. BoostLIVE is Boost Mobile’s handset storefront where customers can purchase digital content such as ring-tones, wallpapers, music, and games. Boost plans to expand advertising content to include messaging and key applications in the near future.

“Mobile advertising is an excellent vehicle for reaching a growing segment of younger consumers who are drifting away from traditional mediums such as TV and print,” said Neil Lindsay, vice president of product development, Boost Mobile. “The unique advantage Boost Mobile offers advertisers is access to today’s under 30 audience - a massive and growing crowd of consumers who are more likely to embrace advertising on their wireless phones.”

“The Boost-Amobee relationship aims to show the power of Boost as a media company. Boost has an influence on the mobile media habits of the under 30 demographic in the US. This relationship was created to attract youth and lifestyle brands which haven’t traditionally invested in interactive advertising. Working with these brands will position Boost as a leader in mobile advertising,” said Zohar Levkovitz, CEO of Amobee.

Amobee has previously announced a relationship with Winstar Interactive to sell mobile inventory and develop relationships with major advertising agencies.

“AT&T and rival Sprint Nextel are in a bitter dispute over fees to use one another’s voice networks. The nation’s largest phone company doesn’t want Sprint expanding a no-fee deal to nearly half the country. So it’s taken the fight from the states to the Federal Communications Commission.”

“Daniel R. Hesse, Sprint Nextel’s new chief executive, tells it like it is — but on Thursday, investors did not like what they heard.”

Sprint announced it will launch a domestic unlimited pricing plan that gives customers unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, Sprint TVSM, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect for $99.99 a month. The new pricing plan is available to existing and new customers beginning Friday, February 29.”This is a bold, unprecedented move,” said Dan Hesse, president and CEO, Sprint Nextel. “Wireless today is about much more than just voice. It is about data services — texting, email, video, pictures, music, navigation, surfing the Web and more. Customers want these applications, but without complexity and without having to worry about their bill. The $99.99 Simply Everything plan delivers it all right to the palm of their hand now.

“Today’s handsets are powerful data devices. Each day they get better, faster and easier to use with more intuitive user interface designs and full Internet access. Our high-speed networks were built with this in mind and it’s where we believe the battleground lies — offering fast access to the best content and data services. We are removing the barriers for customers to feel free to use all of the features of their phones.”

The $99.99 Simply Everything plan is available to customers on both Sprint’s CDMA and iDEN networks. Existing Sprint customers can switch to the Simply Everything plan without extending their current contract either by contacting Sprint customer service or by stopping by any participating Sprint retail location. New line activations require a two-year agreement.

For families, Simply Everything includes an incremental $5 discount for each incremental line, up to five lines on the same bill. For example, two lines would amount to $194.98 ($99.99 + $94.99); a third line would cost an additional $89.99. This is in sharp contrast to the multi-line unlimited rates offered by some competitors. The Sprint plan offers significant savings the more lines a customer adds.

The move to unlimited pricing that includes data signifies a turning point for the wireless industry. Nationally accepted measures of voice quality now show very little, if any, difference among the top wireless providers.

“All major carriers have good voice networks,” Hesse said. “Our network is about more than voice and more than just being the largest wireless data network. It is about allowing customers to connect with people, information and entertainment. It is about simplicity, usability and real value. The $99.99 Simply Everything plan eliminates overage surprises and provides a worry-free environment.

“Our investments in innovation and speed are becoming the new areas of differentiation. These are the areas where we perform best and where we can deliver a wireless advantage for our customers.”

Boost Mobile, a wholly-owned division of Sprint Nextel, announced the launch of a new brand identity. Designed to visually and conceptually unite product lines and message consistency, Boost Mobile worked closely with renowned creative and brand-engineering agency ATTIK, to evolve the brand and create more sophisticated and synergetic visual elements that will more broadly appeal to the company’s target audiences.Moving forward, Boost Mobile’s two major prepaid services, pay-as-you-go (PayGo) and Unlimited by Boost (UNLTD), will be rolled under one banner. The new visual identity system is designed to elevate the brand positioning with a premium and sophisticated foundation, similar to the lifestyle imagery of Boost Mobile products. The logo, typeface and color scheme are designed to create a consistent and integrated visual presence.

“Our brand needed to reflect that while our roots in youth culture are as vital as ever, we are also appealing to a broader audience and are fully embracing our core values as a lifestyle company,” said Carlene Robinson, director of brand marketing and entertainment of Boost Mobile. “By uniting our product offerings under one cohesive brand identity, we are able to leverage the overall strength of the Boost Mobile brand to build more meaningful connections with our subscribers and more effectively convey what makes our products and our company so very unique.”

“We wanted to bring an outside perspective to the project���one that understood youth culture, what our brand is about and would be willing to collaborate with our internal creative team,” said Wally Fox, Boost Mobile’s Creative Manager. “We’ve worked with ATTIK successfully in the past, and respect their approach to developing brands; they were a natural fit for this project.”

Boost’s new visual system includes retooled 2D and 3D logos, updated photographic styles, a new typographic library, new color schemes, new end tag, print and environmental applications. The retooling of the Boost marquee and its supporting visual system heightens the Boost Mobile brand to a more premium aesthetic, while also providing a set of tools and standards for Boost to create applications across all mediums. Consumers will begin seeing the new brand identity starting today on Boost products, services, collateral, point of sale displays, events, sponsorships, media and more.

“The key behind this project was making the new brand look, feel and voice more connectable to Boost’s growing audience, so that the brand becomes something they love, something they’re willing to fight for,” said William Travis, ATTIK Vice President. “Considering the many strengths of this very unique company, it’s been a sincere pleasure to help refine the logo and the visual identity system to better allow consumers to experience all the things that set Boost apart.”

Boost PayGo wireless service has experienced tremendous success, acquiring more than four million customers in five years. Launched in March of last year, Unlimited by Boost also is being well-received by wireless consumers, doubling its base from 224,000 to 500,000 customers in Q4 alone. With the success of two different offers, Boost Mobile’s new brand identity will enable consumers to more easily identify with the brand and make educated product purchases that best fit their lifestyle needs.

Sprint Nextel today announced the company will bring together its operational headquarters and corporate headquarters, previously at Overland Park, Kan., and Reston, Va. respectively, to one location, the Sprint Nextel campus in Overland Park. Reston had served as the company’s corporate headquarters since the merger of Sprint and Nextel in 2005.The consolidation of the dual headquarters, which was approved by the Board of Directors, will require the relocation of only a small number of executives. The move will improve operational performance by immersing senior leaders in the company’s operations. This consolidation of the headquarters locations will also reduce travel expenses and optimize real estate assets, the company said.

“This change involves only a small number of our senior leaders, and we will retain a very significant employee presence in Reston,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint Nextel CEO. “After a thorough review, we determined that this change is necessary now so that our leadership team can concentrate on improving our company’s operations and create a single, performance-based culture.”

The company currently employs about 4,400 associates in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and about 13,300 associates in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Sprint and Motorola, Inc. announce the availability of a local, regional and national network interoperability solution. Now, a Nextel Direct Connect user can talk directly to a first responder who uses a Project 25 land mobile radio (LMR), creating a new level of interoperability by allowing the two types of push-to-talk services to communicate with each other.To enable this interoperability, Motorola has developed a gateway — MOTOBRIDGE IP Interoperable solution — that facilitates the integration of disparate networks (different bands, system types or vendors) to provide enhanced communications among users for day-to-day or emergency applications with built in scalability to allow numerous agencies, users and dispatch locations to be supported. In addition, Advanced Nextel features such as, Group Calls, Call Alert Status Messages, Talkgroup Calls and Emergency Alerts are enabled seamlessly through the MOTOBRIDGE Solution.

“The collaboration between Motorola and Sprint is a critical step to further boosting communications capabilities for public safety personnel,” said James Lee Witt, former FEMA director and current Chief Executive Officer of James Lee Witt Associates, a part of GlobalOptions Group. “It is essential to enable interoperability and simplify communications when operating on different frequencies.”

“The tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the real need for instant communication between local, state and federal safety officials. Those two catastrophic events showed in real time just how vulnerable America is,” said John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted. “The relationship of these two industry giants, Sprint Nextel and Motorola, to facilitate immediate communication between our first responders, is a major step in making America safer. This technology will help save lives.”

Nextel Direct Connect is the world’s largest and fastest push-to-talk service, with millions of users enjoying it today. As the leading provider of push-to-talk service, Sprint has the largest portfolio of Nextel Direct Connect devices, including the largest selection of rugged phones certified to Military Standard 810F for dust, shock, vibration, etc. Sprint also offers exclusive Public Safety push-to-talk applications such as Priority Connect, Emergency Group Connect and Priority Group Connect.

Millions of Sprint customers find significant advantages to using Nextel Direct Connect(R), the world’s largest and fastest push-to-talk service and the only such service with international capabilities. With more than 90 billion push-to-talk connections completed in 2007, it is an ideal solution for businesses and first responders who need to communicate instantly as well as families and friends who want to stay connected.”Nextel Direct Connect provides a differentiated experience for our customers,” said Dan Hesse, president and CEO, Sprint Nextel. “The Nextel National Network (iDEN) is key to delivering Nextel Direct Connect. Sprint has invested significantly during the past two years and the network is performing at best-ever levels. Customers can expect to see continued investment and the introduction of new handsets to utilize the network’s unique capabilities.”

Sprint will also focus on enhancing Nextel Direct Connect in 2008, including aggressively marketing Nextel Direct Connect and expanding features and functionality including combining Direct Connect with Sprint Mobile Broadband data capabilities. These efforts are expected to ultimately deliver robust capabilities such as ‘push-to-x’ which can include push to instantly send a text message or send an image, push-to-information and other enhanced features in the future.

Sprint’s wide variety of Direct Connect services include one-to-one capabilities that help customers communicate to make personal or business decisions quickly, boost productivity and save time and money. Also, the unique one-to-many capability of Group Connect(R) helps businesses quickly communicate the same message to multiple employees, as well as partners and vendors. More advanced services on Nextel phones allow customers to send a voice message to any email address using Nextmail(R), and share contact information and send pictures with the Direct Send(SM) feature.

Sprint Customers Share the Benefits of Nextel Direct Connect

Nextel Direct Connect can be used to enhance fleet management for a variety of industries. “We have recognized many benefits with Direct Connect, from enhanced communication to cost reductions. In some areas we have removed the traditional radio communication and replaced them with phones featuring the Direct Connect service,” said Bryan Mlika, Sr. Manager of Technical and Quality Operations, AAA Auto Club South. “It allows our drivers to contact the dispatcher instantly, and reduces costs associated with installing AAA radios in the trucks. It’s a very fast and efficient method to dispatch calls at a much lower cost. In addition, traditional UHF/VHF voice did not allow us to have transitional voice communication and in cases of disaster a dispatch position that used VHF/UHF voice would have lost contact with all drivers using that frequency.”

Jeffrey Godwin, vice president of towPartners, added, “Nextel Direct Connect has been a primary communications tool for the towing industry since the time it was introduced. Instant, two-way communication affords towing companies the ability to quickly dispatch their assets wherever and whenever needed. Add in the ruggedized handsets that Sprint offers and you have a service that can’t be beat. No other service is as fast, as reliable or as cost efficient as Direct Connect.”

In addition, Centex, one of the nation’s largest home builders and winner of the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Platinum Award for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction, notes the significant benefits experienced with Direct Connect by the construction industry. “Managing the construction of hundreds of homes that are in different stages of construction can be a daunting task,” said Scott Richter, executive vice president of Operations for Centex. “Especially when you are coordinating with multiple trade partners for each job. Sprint helps meet our communications requirements through the use of Direct Connect. Nextel Direct Connect allows us to instantly communicate with our managers and trade partners, making us more efficient. That’s good for us, our trade partners, and our customers.”

Nextel Direct Connect can be vital for communications between family members as well. For example, ask mother, wife and full-time multi-tasker Wendy Baber where her family would be without their push-to-talk service and you get a hurried one-word answer: “lost!” Keeping tabs on her daughters at school, work, and basketball practices, and her husband and his two businesses, is made easier with Nextel Direct Connect. “It’s the first thing I put on my desk at work and it’s there for me all day,” she said.

The instant connectivity of Nextel Direct Connect on Nextel phones also makes it a valued tool for public safety personnel. It has the only “off-network” capability, Direct Talk(SM), which is critical for public safety users during emergency response situations. This short range radio-to-radio capability provides a critical communications option when the network is unavailable. (Environment, terrain, structures, in-building use & other factors may affect range/performance.) Sprint also offers exclusive public safety applications such as Priority Connect(R), Emergency Talkgroup(SM) and Priority on Group Connect.

“My department relies on Nextel Direct Connect for our daily communication operations and it is an absolute requirement during an emergency or natural disaster,” said Charles Werner, Fire Chief, Charlottesville Fire Department. “For example, a few years back during a tornado warning, our public telephone networks were overloaded with calls. Nextel Direct Connect worked and helped us communicate when we needed it the most. Direct Connect and Priority Connect are vitally important as these features allow us to establish a parallel communications network and greatly enhance our mission critical radio system.”

New Devices Deliver Nextel Direct Connect Benefits

With more than 15 years of push-to-talk expertise, Sprint has the largest portfolio of Nextel Direct Connect devices, including the largest selection of rugged phones certified to Military Standard 810F for dust, shock, vibration, etc.

Sprint continues to give customers more options to meet their instant communications needs. The most recently introduced Nextel Direct Connect handsets include:

* i335 by Motorola - Sporting a sleek, slim form factor unique to the Nextel portfolio, the i335 offers Bluetooth, speakerphone, GPS capabilities and the full catalog of Direct Connect services available today. The i335 maintains the familiar ruggedness Direct Connect customers have come to expect and is certified to Military Standard for 810 F for dust, shock and vibration.

* i570 by Motorola - The i570 puts the latest features into a rugged design ensuring reliable performance in the toughest environments. Customers have the convenience of Direct Connect services for instant one-on-one and group communication as well as one-touch shortcuts to phone features, icon driven menu, 5-way navigation and voice-activated dialing.

For the Nextel National Network, internal performance metrics show double-digit percent improvement year-over-year (i.e., Dec. 2006 to Dec. 2007) for drops (i.e., where a customer’s voice connection fails or drops during a call) and blocks (i.e., where a customer is unable to make a voice connection). Customer issues related to dropped and blocked calls, and voice quality, have decreased more than 60 percent since December 2006. This level of improvement translates to more reliable service for our

“Sprint Nextel Corp (said on Thursday Chief Financial Officer Paul Saleh and two other top executives would leave the company in a new management shake-up as the No. 3 U.S. mobile service grapples with subscriber declines.”

Sprint Nextel Corp. reported wireless subscriber results for the fourth quarter of 2007, announced initial plans to streamline its business as part of an ongoing review of its operations and market approach, and provided an update on its annual assessment of the goodwill recorded on its financial statements.For the fourth quarter Sprint Nextel reported a net gain of 500,000 subscribers through wholesale channels, growth of 256,000 Boost Unlimited users and net additions of 20,000 subscribers within affiliate channels. These gains were offset by net losses of 683,000 post-paid subscribers and 202,000 traditional pre-paid users.

In the fourth quarter, post-paid churn was 2.3 percent. Compared to the third quarter, improved voluntary churn in both the CDMA and iDEN customer bases was offset by higher involuntary churn. At the end of 2007, Sprint Nextel served a total subscriber base of 53.8 million subscribers including 40.8 million post-paid, 4.1 million traditional pre-paid, 500,000 Boost Unlimited, 7.7 million wholesale and 850,000 subscribers through affiliates.

Anticipating continued downward pressure on subscriber trends, revenues, and profitability in 2008, Sprint Nextel also announced initial plans to streamline the business in coming months. These plans call for job reductions across the company including approximately 4,000 internal positions and reduced utilization of outsourced services and contractors. The company also expects to eliminate more than 4,000 third-party distribution points and to close approximately 125, or 8 percent, of its company-owned retail locations. The company has approximately 20,000 total distribution points, including nearly 1,400 company-owned retail locations.

Sprint Nextel currently expects these actions to reduce its internal and external labor costs by an annualized rate of $700-$800 million by the end of 2008. The employee headcount reductions are expected to be completed in the first half of the year and will include management and non-management positions throughout the company. The company will offer a voluntary separation plan for its employees, and displaced employees will receive separation pay and outplacement and other services. The company expects to record a first-quarter charge for severance costs associated with the workforce reduction.

Sprint Nextel is currently performing its annual assessment of the goodwill recorded on its financial statements and expects to conclude this process prior to the release of its fourth-quarter earnings report. Given current market conditions, particularly the recent decrease in the company’s stock price, Sprint Nextel could determine that it will record a non-cash impairment charge related to goodwill in the fourth quarter 2007. Any such charge would have no affect on either the company’s current cash balance or future cash flows.

Sprint Nextel currently expects to announce fourth-quarter and full-year 2007 results on Feb. 28.

“Sprint Nextel Corp., the nation’s third-largest wireless carrier, plans to cut thousands of jobs in an attempt to reassure investors that new Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse is serious about streamlining the company’s operations, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.”

The Sprint Nextel Board of Directors has named wireless industry veteran Daniel R. Hesse, 54, as president and chief executive officer of the company, effective immediately. He previously was chairman, president and CEO of Embarq Corporation.”Dan Hesse is the right person to lead our company,” said board member Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr., who chaired the board’s CEO search committee. “He is a proven leader with deep wireless experience as a chief executive and an established track record of generating strong operating performance. He has the board’s full support to take decisive actions necessary to improve our performance.”

“Sprint Nextel is a company with a strong set of assets, but clearly we must improve execution across the board,” said James H. Hance, the company’s non-executive chairman. “Dan’s mandate is to hone our strategy, improve our ability to serve our customers and execute in the marketplace. I am convinced that under Dan’s leadership we will deliver sustainable results and build shareholder value.”

“Dan’s record of achievement is impressive,” Hance added. “He possesses marketing and innovation savvy along with considerable operating acumen. Under his leadership, AT&T Wireless became the nation’s largest carrier at the time and grew revenues three times faster than the rate of the industry. The company earned awards for service and innovation, along with recognition for overall performance. At Embarq he has done an excellent job of leading the company through its inception, building its brand and delivering solid financial and operating results.”

“I am honored and excited to lead Sprint Nextel at this important time in its history,” said Hesse. “There is no company in the wireless industry with a stronger set of assets. I believe through solid execution and commitment to our customers we can reinvigorate our operating performance and return the company to a growth trajectory. We will review every aspect of our strategy as we intend to lead Sprint to the forefront of the wireless industry.”

“Additionally, I would like to thank the Board and employees of Embarq Corp. for the honor of serving them. Together we built a great brand, culture and company. Sprint and Embarq are major customers and suppliers to each other so I look forward to continuing to work closely with all of my friends at Embarq.”

Hesse had been chairman and CEO since Embarq’s inception in 2006. Prior to the formation of Embarq, he served as CEO of Sprint’s Local Telecommunications Division for one year before the spin-off that created Embarq. Hesse previously has spent 23 years at AT&T, including serving between 1997 and 2000 as the president and CEO of AT&T Wireless Services, which was then the United States’ largest wireless operator.

Hesse also has joined Sprint Nextel’s board of directors.

Hance also expressed gratitude to Paul Saleh, the company’s chief financial officer, who served as interim CEO for the past two months. “The Board and all Sprint employees appreciate and respect the dedication and energy that Paul provided. We thank him for the leadership he demonstrated during this period.”

Hance to Remain as Non-Executive Chairman

The Sprint Nextel board also announced that it had elected Hance to continue serving as non-executive chairman. Hance, 63, is a senior adviser to the Carlyle Group and retired vice chairman and board member of Bank of America. He has been a Sprint board member since February 2005 and was named non-executive chairman when Gary Forsee, who had been chairman, president and CEO, stepped down in October.

Hance served as vice chairman of Bank of America Corporation from 1993 until Jan. 31, 2005 and as the chief financial officer of Bank of America Corporation from 1988 until April 2004. Hance served as a director of Sprint Corporation from Feb. 2005 until its merger with Nextel Communications in August 2005, and he has served as a director of Sprint Nextel since that time. He serves on the board’s Audit, Executive and Finance Committees. He also serves on the boards of Duke Energy, Cousins Properties and Rayonier Inc.

Sprint Nextel and Clearwire have mutually agreed to terminate the Letter of Intent (LOI) signed in July 2007. The two companies could not resolve complexities associated with the LOI and failed to reach final agreement on the terms of the transaction.Sprint remains fully committed to developing WiMAX services and deploying a WiMAX network that will allow customers to realize the benefits of a mobile broadband Internet experience. Sprint expects to continue to work together with Clearwire on future opportunities to enhance the deployment of robust WiMAX capabilities through ongoing discussions that include the possibility of roaming, frequency interference coordination, spectrum exchanges, technology evolution and development and network standards.

“We are on track for soft launch late this year in the Chicago and Baltimore/Washington markets and commercial launch in 2008,” said Keith Cowan, Sprint’s president of Strategic Planning and Corporate Initiatives. “In line with Sprint’s mandate of improving the customers experience and simplifying our operations, we look forward to working with Clearwire on opportunities such as roaming and standards.”

In light of this announcement, Sprint is reviewing its WiMAX business plans and outlook and the company expects to comment further on these topics early next year.

Sprint intends to provide services under the Xohm brand, supported by an ecosystem of device, chip and other partners, including Intel, Motorola, Nokia and Samsung. The company also has selected Google to bring search, interactive communications and social networking tools through a new mobile portal to future WiMAX mobile Internet customers.

“Sprint Nextel Corp is gearing up to sell as many as six new walkie-talkie style phones in early 2008 using Qualcomm’s QChat technology, a Sprint handset executive said.”

Sprint Nextel announced today that Gary Forsee is stepping down as the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately. A committee of the Sprint Nextel Board of Directors has been formed and is conducting the search for a new CEO.James Hance, Jr., a member of the Board of Directors, will assume the role of acting non-executive chairman of the Board. Paul Saleh, current chief financial officer of Sprint Nextel, will serve as acting CEO until a permanent replacement for Forsee is named. With Hance serving in the position of non-executive chairman, the position of lead independent director, held by Irvine Hockaday, will be combined with that role. Hockaday will remain a member of the Board.

“On behalf of the entire board and the Sprint Nextel employees, we want to thank Gary for his dedication and leadership and all of the contributions he has made since becoming chief executive of Sprint in 2003,” said Hockaday.

According to Hockaday, the decision to seek a new CEO was based on the Board’s belief that it is the right time to put in place new leadership to move the company forward in improving its performance and realizing corporate objectives.

“The Board’s search for selecting its next chief executive will focus on candidates outside the company,” said Hockaday. “We fully expect that the search will be concluded in a timely manner and we are focused on selecting the right candidate to guide the company to achieve its full potential. Sprint Nextel has the assets, spectrum, customer base and technology to be the leader in wireless mobility services.”

Updated Operational Metrics and Financial Guidance

The company announced today that it expects to report a net loss of approximately 337,000 post-paid subscribers in the third quarter. In addition, both adjusted OIBDA* and consolidated operating revenue for 2007 are expected to be slightly below the range of previously provided guidance of $11.0 to $11.5 billion of adjusted OIBDA and $41 to $42 billion of consolidated operating revenue.

Sprint Nextel will release its third-quarter financial results on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.

Additional Background on Hance and Saleh

Hance, 63, a senior advisor to The Carlyle Group, is retired vice chairman and former member of the Board of Directors of Bank of America Corporation, where he served as vice chairman from 1993 until January 2005 and as the chief financial officer of Bank of America Corporation from 1988 until April 2004. He is a director of Cousins Properties Incorporated, Duke Energy Corporation and Rayonier Corporation. He has been a member of the Sprint Nextel Board since February 2005.

Saleh, 50, has served as chief financial officer since the merger of Sprint and Nextel. Prior to the merger he had been executive vice president and chief financial officer for Nextel since joining the company in 2001. Before joining Nextel, Saleh was senior vice president and chief financial officer at Walt Disney International from 1997 to 2001, and also served as senior vice president and treasurer for The Walt Disney Company. Prior to Disney, Saleh served as treasurer of Honeywell, where he spent 12 years in various leadership positions in finance, treasury, investor relations, strategic planning and operations.

*FINANCIAL MEASURES

Sprint Nextel provides financial measures generated using generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and using adjustments to GAAP (non-GAAP). The non-GAAP financial measures reflect industry conventions, or standard measures of liquidity, profitability or performance commonly used by the investment community for comparability purposes. These non-GAAP measures are not measurements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These measurements should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information contained in our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We have defined below each of the non-GAAP measures we use, but these measures may not be synonymous to similar measurement terms used by other companies.

Because Sprint Nextel does not predict special items that might occur in the future, and our forecasts are developed at a level of detail different than that used to prepare GAAP-based financial measures, Sprint Nextel does not provide reconciliations to GAAP of its forward-looking financial measures.

Sprint Nextel announced today that Samsung Telecommunications America has been awarded the New York area market for mobile WiMAX network infrastructure in preparation for Xohm mobile Internet services availability to customers in that region beginning in late 2008.Sprint is developing with ecosystem partners a nationwide advanced wireless broadband network designed to mobilize the Internet, bring wireless innovation to devices and deliver new mobile multimedia applications to consumer, business and government customers. The mobile WiMAX network can deliver broadband access with speeds up to five times faster than current third-generation wireless networks and will be marketed under the Xohm (pronounced “zoam”) brand.

Samsung was previously awarded the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and Providence, R.I., markets. The New York award is part of an extensive, multi-year supply agreement, and encompasses New York City, Nassau-Suffolk and Jersey City, N.J. It also includes northern and central New Jersey the Newark, Bergen-Passaic, Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon and Monmouth-Ocean areas.

“We’re bringing Xohm mobile broadband to the Big Apple and beyond,” said Barry West, Sprint Nextel CTO and president - Xohm business unit. “It’s faster than a New York minute, and will deliver a unique multimedia mobile Internet experience over innovative devices. It is another reason for area residents and visitors to love New York.”

With Xohm mobile Internet, customers will be able to experience a new form of interactive communications, high-speed Internet browsing, local and location-centric services, and multimedia services including music, video, TV and on-demand products. Sprint also plans to bring Xohm WiMAX mobile Internet customers search, interactive communications and social networking tools through a new mobile portal in a deal announced with Google.

Sprint is working with WiMAX ecosystem partners and others to incorporate WiMAX technology in a range of computing, portable multi-media, interactive and other consumer electronic devices. Eventually, the Xohm WiMAX service will be available in vehicles for navigation information, news and entertainment.

“Samsung is honored to extend Sprint’s Xohm WiMAX broadband services to major U.S. cities,” said Dale Sohn, president, Samsung Telecommunications America. “New York is an important milestone for Samsung as we continue to expand the deployment of 4G technology around the world.”

Sprint plans WiMAX test service in the Chicago, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas by year-end 2007. Commercial service is expected to be available in a number of markets starting April 2008 and expected to cover 100 million people by year-end 2008 in conjunction with a planned partnership with Clearwire.

Nokia today announced that Sprint Nextel has awarded it the four Texas markets of Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin for the initial build-out of Sprint Nextel’s mobile WiMAX network.Nokia will deploy WiMAX infrastructure, including the Nokia Flexi WiMAX Base Station, at sites throughout the four Texas markets, enabling Sprint Nextel to deliver wireless Internet broadband access to consumers, businesses and governments. Service is expected to commence in the Texas markets during the first half of 2008. Sprint Nextel’s mobile WiMAX network intends to cover 100 million people nationwide by the end of 2008.

“Nokia’s WiMAX solution provides Sprint Nextel a highly cost-effective network infrastructure solution for delivering broadband wireless Internet connectivity to its Texas customers,” said Mark Louison, head of Nokia’s Networks division in North America. “Nokia has extensive experience in designing, deploying, and maintaining high quality networks in North America, and will apply best practices to ensure the highest level of service for Sprint Nextel’s WiMAX customers. We are confident in our ability to deploy the network on time in these markets in the first half of 2008.”

The Nokia Flexi WiMAX Base Station allows operators to optimize the costs of siting and operating WiMAX infrastructure equipment through its small, modular size. Its compact size and lightweight, weather-proof design minimizes the space, power consumption, and physical effort required to install and run high-quality WiMAX networks. Additionally, its modularity allows for easy capacity upgrades as traffic increases and efficient use of existing or new base station sites. All these characteristics are also critical to ensure an environmentally friendly solution. Nokia will also supply its Access Service Network (ASN) Gateway and NetAct network management platform as well as planning, deployment, and care services.

“Nokia’s expertise in delivering end-to-end wireless technology solutions, coupled with Nokia devices that enable enhanced multimedia content, will enable Sprint Nextel to provide our customers with reliable, high-quality WiMAX service,” said Barry West, Sprint Nextel President, 4G Business Unit.

Nokia will showcase its complete mobile WiMAX infrastructure solution and demonstrate mobile WiMAX technology at CTIA Wireless 2007 in Orlando, Fla. at the end of March.

In addition to supplying Sprint Nextel with WiMAX network infrastructure, Nokia will also develop WiMAX-enabled mobile devices, including multimedia computers and Internet tablets, which are expected to be available in 2008.