Nextel expands coverage in North Carolina

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Nextel Continues Its Strong Commitment to North Carolina with Increased Capacity and Enhanced Coverage
Wednesday June 1, 8:40 am ET

Nextel Responds to Needs of North Carolina Customers with 4,280 Square Miles of Enhanced Coverage for Digital Walkie-Talkie, Wireless Data and Wireless Phone Services


CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2005-- Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL - News) announced today significant enhancements to its fixed infrastructure and wireless service in North Carolina. Nextel customers now can take advantage of Nextel's cellular, Direct Connect® digital walkie-talkie and wireless data services, including text messaging, mobile email and the Wireless Web. Areas benefiting from Nextel's expansion include: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Boone, Asheville, Greenville, Southern Pines, New Bern, Washington, Rockingham, Sanford and Eden.

"Doing business in North Carolina means traveling," said Craven Shumaker, area vice president for Nextel Communications. "Based on customer feedback, we know that coverage enhancements along interstates are always welcome additions. Nextel's Direct Connect service, which is part of every phone we sell, provides a unique form of communication, an instant walkie-talkie service that works nationwide. Add in our standard cellular capabilities and wireless data services, and you have an extremely powerful communications tool."

Nextel has been offering wireless services in North Carolina for more than seven years, and has continued to expand its network within the state based on customer needs. Nextel currently has 14 sales offices in North Carolina and 22 Nextel Retail Stores.

Nextel expands coverage in North Carolina

[SQFreak]

If I may, I'd like to comment a bit on this. First, the Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro areas, for the most part, have very good Nextel coverage. Boone and Asheville definitely needed help. The other areas, with the exception of Eden, are in the Eastern part of the state, which isn't spectacularly well covered by anyone.

These improvements, if true, should be well welcomed and needed.

[AndThenScottSays...]

Eastern NC is covered very well by U.S. Cellular. Second best would probably be either Cingular or Alltel, depending on your handset, but both aren't anything at all compared to what USCC offers.

A few weeks ago I was down in mainland Hyde & Dare counties, near Engelhard and Swan Quarter and during some tower hunting I noticed what looked like Nextel antennas on some towers. They have generally put in four side mounts with omni poles on them in this area. There was a set of them on the U.S. Cellular tower near Swan Quarter / Lake Mattamuskeet and another on the WWOC 94.5 tower in Engelhard. I was shocked, as the only people who cover these areas at all are USCC and Alltel, and there are many areas where you NEED a car or bag phone to make calls. I don't have an iDen phone yet to test if it was turned on yet , but maybe these are some of the places they're talking about.

If so, way to go Nextel! Now people down there will have a third option for cellular.

[NYCDru]

Pardon my urban uignorance but what is the difference between a "car" phone and a phone with a dash baord mount conected to a big external antena mounted on the car?

[mike220]

When most people on forums use the term bag phone or car phone they are reffering to a phone with 3 watts output power rather that a handheld with .6 watts out. While a hard mount with an outside antenna will enhance your cell phone experience it won't match the range of a 3 watt phone with the same outside antenna.
Mike
Oxford GA

Originally Posted by NYCDru Pardon my urban uignorance but what is the difference between a "car" phone and a phone with a dash baord mount conected to a big external antena mounted on the car?

[WirelessBeachBum]

Originally Posted by tragic Eastern NC is covered very well by U.S. Cellular. Second best would probably be either Cingular or Alltel, depending on your handset, but both aren't anything at all compared to what USCC offers. I was shocked, as the only people who cover these areas at all are USCC and Alltel, and there are many areas where you NEED a car or bag phone to make calls. If so, way to go Nextel! Now people down there will have a third option for cellular.

Verizon Wireless purchased spectrum in Eastern NC this year and will be rolling out service well before they start selling service or building retail stores.

[mike220]

Anyone heard anything about the US 74 corridor east of I-95
to Wilmington NC getting coverage??

Mike220
Oxford GA