Nextel Network Will Continue to Grow

Sprint/Nextel announced that it will continue to operate the Nextel/iDEN portion of its network, and actually intends to grow and promote the network. The announcement came apparently after Sprint could not find a buyer for the network, which uses a proprietary Motorola 800 MHz technology. Sprint purchased the Nextel business in 2005 for $30 billion, and since then the number of customers has dropped dramatically. In its announcement, Sprint CEO Dan Hess called the iDEN network “a key differentiator for Sprint, as it allows us to offer products and services no other carrier in the industry can match.” Sprint will improve the network, he said, and add new handsets to the current line-up. The FCC recently approved a Sprint request to vacant in stages its assigned 800 MHz frequencies, which are interleaved with other services. Previously the FCC has set a single deadline for giving up the frequencies, which will eventually be used by public safety agencies. The Commission’s decision gives Sprint more flexibility in upgrading its Nextel network.