Three Michigan Residents Win Nextel's Wireless Winners Contest

16 April 2005

Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL), a leading provider of wireless communications services, today announced that John Joy of Grand Rapids, Jacquelyn Senyczko of Howell, and Troy Flodin of Kalamazoo were winners in the third annual Nextel Wireless Winners Contest. The contest offered customers the opportunity to receive up to $1,000 in cash and prizes by submitting a brief description on how Nextel's products and services help them get things done in their business or personal lives. Thousands of entries were collected in 2004 and the essays provided a wealth of examples of the different ways Nextel customers are utilizing their wireless services.

"At Nextel we focus on providing the best service in the industry and it makes me proud to see how Nextel's products and services are making a positive impact in the lives of customers right here in Michigan," said Glen Flowers, area vice president for the Midwest at Nextel. "These wonderful stories prove how important wireless communications is in helping customers get things done in their business and personal lives."

Nextel awarded prizes to first, second and third place winners in the following six categories: Business Wireless Winner, Wireless Data Winner, Personal Wireless Winner, Worldwide Wireless Winner, Good Samaritan Wireless Winner and Public Safety/Emergency Services Wireless Winner. First place winners received a $500 American Express Gift Cheque and a $500 credit on their Nextel bill. Second place winners were awarded a $250 American Express Gift Cheque and a $250 credit on their Nextel bill. Third place winners received a $125 American Express Gift Cheque and a $125 credit on their Nextel bill.

Joy won second prize in the Business Wireless Winner category. Meteorologists are consistently tasked with having the most up-to-date and accurate information. Joy, who works at a local television station in Grand Rapids, uses his Nextel phone to access and evaluate real-time radar information. Station meteorologists use Nextel's wireless data service to stay up-to-date with the latest radar imagery when they're in the field. Reporters use laptops equipped with Nextel modems to send scripts back to the station for broadcasts.

"Nextel's wireless Internet has improved our productivity since we no longer need to phone in the script," said Joy.

Senyczko won second place in the Wireless Data Winner category. She uses her Nextel service to stay in touch with her husband while he serves in the Army in Iraq. They communicate with text messaging on her Nextel phone and she uses the keyboard accessory so they can easily talk anywhere on Nextel's Nationwide Network and at anytime without the use of a computer enabling them to feel connected even though they are thousands of miles apart.

"Thanks to Nextel I don't have to miss an opportunity to be able to talk with him," said Senyczko.

Flodin won third place in the Personal Wireless Winner category. He and his fellow engineering students at Western Michigan University, recently used Nextel phones while designing and evaluating their soapbox for an annual derby contest. During testing, Nextel Direct Connect(R), the instant digital walkie-talkie service, was used to navigate the course, communicate timing between the racing team and facilitate adjustments in the car, increasing its speed and effectiveness.

According to Flodin, "With the distance and low visibility of the course, we used our Nextel Direct Connect to communicate with each other successfully. Thanks to Nextel the car was tested safely multiple times."

About Nextel
Nextel Communications, a FORTUNE 200 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. Today 95 percent of FORTUNE 500(R) companies are Nextel customers. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. currently serve 297 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 262 million people live or work.

Contacts
Nextel Communications Inc.
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Roni Singleton, 248-893-8755
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Paul Blalock, 703-433-4300