Nextel Introduces Wireless Internet Service for Business

Aggressively moving forward with its wireless Internet offering, Reston, VA-based Nextel Communications Inc. will begin rolling out Nextel Online wireless Internet services in 43 major markets including more than 750 cities across the country. The service is scheduled to become available in all Nextel markets by mid-year.

The carrier is positioning the phone as a four-in-one wireless business communication tool. The Internet-capable "plus" series phones, manufactured by Motorola, integrate wireless Internet service, Nextel Direct Connect digital two-way radio service, digital cellular service, and text/numeric paging into one phone. According to Nextel, approximately two million of its customers currently own "plus" phones.

The online service rate plans feature flat-rate pricing and include unlimited access to MSN Mobile and Nextel alliance Web sites. Plans begin at $14.95 per month in addition to a customer's existing rate plan.

Using Phone.com's UP.Link Server and UP.Browser microbrowser, Nextel, in a partnership with Cisco for mobile Internet Protocol (IP) networking has delivered integrated, packetized voice and data service. Instead of having to "dial in" to access the Internet, Nextel Online customers have immediate access to the wireless data network allowing instant connectivity to the Internet.

Personalize Portal Access
Nextel Online customers can create their own personalized web portal accessible by a personal computer or Internet-capable Nextel phone using the myNextel.com web portal. Co-branded with MSN, this Web portal features business news and information from MSNBC and provides access to MSN services such as MSN Hotmail, MSN MoneyCentral, Expedia.com, and MSN Yellow Pages business directory and Hotmail. Users can customize the site so that business information that is important to them is sent directly to their phones.

Amazon Anywhere allows Nextel customers to shop and open new accounts at Amazon.com via their phones. Customers can make purchases using the retailer's 1-Click shopping feature. Customers can also check the status of pending orders and search by keyword to view product information including details, reviews, price, shipping, and customer comments.

Online Productivity Solutions
List Manager is the first of many planned productivity solutions and will allow customers to manage their phone lists and Direct Connect private ID and group lists from their desktop PC or from their Internet- capable phone. The feature synchronizes information over the air and allows an administrator to manage multiple phone lists at once.

Business Applications
The service features wireless business applications developed to increase productivity and customer satisfaction by moving data instantly between mobile workers and their headquarters. Wireless business and mobile connectivity applications available in the initial launch phase will include:

• eDispatch, a web-based productivity tool for the transportation, construction, and field service industries that allows dispatchers to receive job status and job completion information in near real-time from the field, enabling field workers to receive, acknowledge, and close out work orders from the road. Service rate plans for eDispatch begin at $39.95 per month per unit.
• IBM Mobile Connect, a component of IBM's Websphere Everyplace Suite, will allow mobile professionals to access e-mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks using an Internet-capable phone as a wireless modem when connected to a personal digital assistant (PDA). Corporate customers can establish dial-up access accounts for $9.95 per month using minutes of airtime from their rate plan.

The Nextel Developers Program currently consists of more than 200 organizations that have registered and qualified to develop wireless applications for vertical markets such as professional medical services and the building and construction industry. The carrier plans to announce additional wireless applications in the coming months that it expects will become available from participants in this program.

Where and When
Nextel Online service will be rolled out initially in 43 major markets and more than 750 cities across the country including: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Greensboro N.C., Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington/Baltimore. Next week, service also will be rolled out in the Boston and Providence metropolitan areas.

Edited by Ellen Jensen