Nextel Coverage Extends from Charleston, W. Va., to Erie, Pa

[Rich]

Nextel Coverage Extends from Charleston, W. Va., to Erie, Pa.

Nextel's and Nextel Partners' all-digital wireless network now extends along the Interstate 64 corridor east from Ashland, Ky., through Huntington, W. Va., to Charleston; Interstate 77 north from Charleston through Ripley and Parkersburg, crossing into Ohio through Marietta to Cleveland; State Route 50 east from Parkersburg to Clarksburg; Interstate 79 north from Clarksburg through Fairmont and Morgantown, crossing into Pennsylvania through Pittsburgh to Erie; and Interstate 68 east from Morgantown to Cumberland, Md.

West Virginia customers now have access to the latest in Nextel Direct Connect(R) two-way radio service. The feature enables a Nextel customer to communicate with any other local Nextel user at the touch of a button -- significantly increasing the number of colleagues, customers and suppliers available via two-way radio within their calling region. Using Nextel Direct Connect, a Nextel Partners customer in Charleston, for example, can press one button and talk instantly with a co-worker or colleague using Nextel service in Huntington, Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Fairmont and Morgantown, W.Va.; Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro and Henderson, Ky.; Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Marietta, Akron and Youngstown, Ohio; Erie and Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Evansville, Ind. -- and pay no long-distance charges and avoid the hassles of voicemail.

The launch expands Nextel's and Nextel Partners' regional coverage, which already includes Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, Henderson, Frankfort and Bowling Green, Ky.; Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Marietta, Akron and Youngstown, Ohio; Indianapolis, Evansville and Terre Haute, Ind.; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, State College, Johnstown, Altoona, Philipsburg, Williamsport and Lock Haven, Pa.; Arlington, Richmond, Norfolk, Reston, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Lynchburg and Charlottesville, Va.; Baltimore, Hagerstown, Frostburg, Frederick and Cumberland, Md.; and Washington, D.C