Press Release
November 28, 2002
Nextel Continues to Deliver on its Wireless Business Solutions Initiative with the New BlackBerry 6510
The First BlackBerry To Feature Nextel Direct Connect®, The Digital Walkie-talkie Feature and the Only BlackBerry Phone That Operates On the Only Nationwide 2.5G Packet Data Network
Reston, Va. - Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL) a leader in wireless business solutions, today announced that the BlackBerry 6510™ from Nextel will be commercially available on December 2, 2002. The introduction of the BlackBerry 6510 continues to build upon Nextel's robust Wireless Business Solutions (WBS) initiative introduced in August 2002, combining all the applications, services, tools and the support an enterprise requires to deploy a wireless solution.
"The BlackBerry 6510 from Nextel is a key deliverable in our WBS strategy. It meets the needs of our customers in various industries by giving them greater access to information and the ability to maintain productivity by always being connected to the office, no matter where business takes them," said Greg Santoro, vice president, Internet and wireless services for Nextel. "Wireless technologies, such as the Nextel BlackBerry, are an important business tool for organizations with a large number of employees who need to be productive while away from their desktop computers. For example, our research has shown that field sales representatives currently make up 34 percent of all mobile workers. Wireless devices have become invaluable for them," said Gene Signorini, senior analyst, The Yankee Group.
Nextel's WBS integrates corporate intranets and back-office systems, such as sales force automation, order entry, inventory tracking and customer relationship management (CRM), supporting true workforce mobility. Supporting multiple wireless device types and applications, WBS can scale for workgroups to enterprise-wide deployments, and provide a flexible platform for professional services to add value in system design, implementation and business process consulting.
"The combination of a phone, PDA, and "always-on" wireless access to business email capability along with Nextel Direct Connect® and Nextel's nationwide packet data network in one device creates a powerful tool for the mobile worker. Businesses can develop custom and cost effective applications for their mobile employees that will increase efficiency and provide them immediate benefits," continued Santoro.
The BlackBerry 6510 from Nextel operates on the Nextel National Network, and features the enhanced voice services Nextel customers have come to expect, including digital cellular voice, Nextel Online wireless Web and SMS service--an unmatched set of services for businesses.
Additionally, Nextel offers the only BlackBerry Wireless Handheld™ on the market featuring Nextel Direct Connect, the incredibly powerful long-range digital walkie-talkie feature. Other specialized features include:
- Built-in speaker and microphone for phone-to-ear operation
- Continuous, secure wireless access to corporate email
- The most reliable all-digital cellular voice and data network
- Personal organizer that synchronizes with multiple email and organizer software packages
- Access to Wireless Web
- Ability to run Java™-enabled business applications and games
- Full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing
- Large, easy-to-read screen for easy navigation
The BlackBerry 6510 from Nextel is available at the introductory price of $499.99. For more information about service plans and pricing, please contact your local Nextel sales representative.
For more information on the BlackBerry 6510 from Nextel, visit www.nextel.com/BlackBerry.
Note to Editors - The BlackBerry 6510 from Nextel will be on display at Nextel's booth at COMDEX. To view the product, please visit Booth #3150.
Nextel Communications, a Fortune 300 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully-integrated wireless voice and data communications services including Nextel Direct Connect®--the long-range digital walkie-talkie feature; high quality digital cellular services; Nextel Online® wireless data content and business solutions; and two-way messaging services. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. have built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network covering 197 of the top 200 U.S. markets. Nextel's wireless voice and packet data communications services are available today in areas of the U.S. where approximately 240 million people live or work.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of Research In Motion Limited. All other brands, products and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of the matters and subject areas discussed in this press release that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments. The discussion of such matters and subject areas is qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, and also may materially differ from Nextel's actual future experience involving any one or more of such matters and subject areas. Nextel has attempted to identify, in context, certain of the factors that they currently believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ from Nextel current expectations regarding the relevant matter or subject area. Such risks and uncertainties include the economic conditions in our targeted markets, performance of our technologies, timely development and delivery of new technologies, competitive conditions, market acceptance of our services, access to sufficient capital to meet operating and financing needs and those that are described from time to time in Nextel reports filed with the SEC, including Nextel's annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q during 2002. This press release speaks only as of its date, and Nextel disclaims any duty to update the information herein.
