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Reston, VA--(HISPANIC PR WIRE - BUSINESS WIRE)--August 3, 2004--Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL) and Nextel Partners Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTP) today announced a 10-year agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation's largest public utility, for wireless service at 15 TVA facilities in three states. Under the agreement, Nextel will provide in-building wireless coverage and enhanced outdoor site coverage to TVA fossil and nuclear plants, facilitating communications among TVA workers, departments and plants. To date, Nextel has successfully deployed Custom Network Solutions at six of the 15 plants; upon completion, TVA will have activated more than 3,000 handsets on the Nextel network.
TVA selected Nextel's Custom Network Solutions group to replace its legacy wireless communications systems in response to the FCC "narrowband" mandate for Land Mobile Radio (LMR) 2-Way Radio Systems. With Nextel, TVA gains the benefits of Nextel Nationwide Direct Connect(R) - the digital walkie-talkie feature - and digital cellular coverage, while also establishing a framework for rolling out productivity-enhancing wireless data applications - all at a fraction of the cost of updating and maintaining its numerous LMR systems. The Nextel solution will enable interoperable communication between various TVA departments across multiple states. This interoperability will also allow TVA to have instant access to local fire and police contacts, as well as many other government agencies throughout their service area.
According to Butch Musselman, Nextel's vice president, Utilities: "The TVA agreement is a major milestone for Nextel in the utilities market and another in a series of powerful proof points demonstrating the value of Nextel wireless technology in the utilities space. As utilities nationwide look for solutions beyond buying, maintaining and operating private land mobile radio systems, many are realizing that Nextel can provide leading edge technology at a much lower total cost of ownership."
Nextel began working with TVA in September 2002, deploying its Custom Network Solutions at two pilot sites: the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant and the Kingston Fossil Plant. Based on the success of these implementations, which underscored the reliability of the Nextel network and high service levels delivered by the Nextel Custom Network Solutions group, the companies agreed to expand the project to 13 additional plants in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama, resulting in the 10-year, 15-site agreement announced today.
Nextel's Custom Network Solutions group designs and deploys customized wireless networks that bring the power, productivity and efficiency of Nextel voice and data communications to every corner of a customer's facility. For more information on Nextel CNS, please see: http://www.nextel.com/cns.
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 296 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 252 million people live or work.
About Nextel Partners
Nextel Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTP), based in Kirkland, Wash., has exclusive rights to offer the same fully integrated, digital wireless communications services offered by Nextel Communications (Nextel) in mid-sized and rural markets in 31 states where approximately 53 million people reside. Nextel Partners and Nextel together offer the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country serving 296 of the top 300 U.S. markets. To learn more about Nextel Partners, visit http://www.nextelpartners.com.
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CONTACT:
Nextel Communications Inc., Reston
Media Contact:
Rebecca Gertsmark, 703-433-3776
or
Investor Contact:
Paul Blalock, 703-433-4300
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