How will Nextel combine their network with Sprint's?

[larry]

I don't think Sprint would want to change the web site and drop the "pcs" just yet. That would create too much confusion. But little by little they have been working towards dropping the "PCS" name.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Really though, think about it...how many people besides us really even think about what PCS means! I still talk to people who think cell phones seriously work from Satellite transmissions and that is why they don't work well indoors!

Yes, technically when they use some 800 spectrum for the network, they won't be all PCS, but it really is just a name to most people.

[DandyDon]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7510/3.7.2 UP.Browser/5.0.3.3 UP.Link/4.2.3.5h)

Originally Posted by ZaphodB

Duh, Sprint is a larger company than just Sprint PCS. The merger was between FON and NXTL, not between the SPCS division and NXTL. The website, last I checked abouttwosecondsago was still www.sprintpcs.com...

Whoa, easy now.....


Sprint PCS is still, Sprint PCS on 1900. When we see the merging of the networks the PCS will then be appropriately dropped from the name. That's all.

Back to the subject, the dual band phones (that someone mentioned wouldn't be made because they are too expensive) will hopefully be available soon after the merger is complete next summer time frame. This would be the only logical solution for users to experience both networks without much network tweeking. I would guess they will be seeded into the field quickly as possible, and there is time to test the QChat and new handsets before this merger is complete.

[WirelessBeachBum]

Originally Posted by DandyDon

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7510/3.7.2 UP.Browser/5.0.3.3 UP.Link/4.2.3.5h)



Whoa, easy now.....


Sprint PCS is still, Sprint PCS on 1900. When we see the merging of the networks the PCS will then be appropriately dropped from the name. That's all.

.

Sprint dropped the PCS from their name several years back...

That's what that whole "one Sprint, many solutions" thing was all about...I guess they will now be "one Sprint, one Sprint Nextel, many many more solutions"

[MUHillbilly]

Will tri-mode phones with roaming still be available? Who's network will Sprint-Nextel be roaming on...Verizon's?

[DandyDon]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7510/3.7.2 UP.Browser/5.0.3.3 UP.Link/4.2.3.5h)

Thanks wireless beachbum, didn't even know that. I still think Sprint Spectrum when thinking Sprint.

Also, haven't read all threads or press releases in 2 days, but isn't Sprint spinning off all their landline businesses to be a pureplay wireless provider? If so I think it will bode well to concentrate on uniting both networks, and develop broadband (beyond EV-DO) with all the MMDS spectrum in the 2.1 to 2.5 area. Could there be something un-announced with MMDS, they are just sitting on it. A whole lot of it, enought to bring broadband to the home competing with cable and DSL?

[WirelessBeachBum]

Originally Posted by DandyDon

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7510/3.7.2 UP.Browser/5.0.3.3 UP.Link/4.2.3.5h)

Thanks wireless beachbum, didn't even know that. I still think Sprint Spectrum when thinking Sprint.

Also, haven't read all threads or press releases in 2 days, but isn't Sprint spinning off all their landline businesses to be a pureplay wireless provider? If so I think it will bode well to concentrate on uniting both networks, and develop broadband (beyond EV-DO) with all the MMDS spectrum in the 2.1 to 2.5 area. Could there be something un-announced with MMDS, they are just sitting on it. A whole lot of it, enought to bring broadband to the home competing with cable and DSL?

They had plans for that with their Sprint Ion project a few years back, but the technology wasn't ready at that time. I think the market place is closer to being ready for this type of solution. I keep hearing press releases of landline providers offering faster DSL. And all I keep wondering is if they are competing with cable TV providers or the aspect of 3G wireless becoming more of a player in this market.

Seems that eventually the only use for landlines will be for backbone transport for cellsites....

Sprint landline was also experimenting with video services to compete with cable TV providers.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by azcellphonejunkie

Really though, think about it...how many people besides us really even think about what PCS means!

There's a lot of people that went with Sprint simply because they believed Sprint was the only one that has "PCS", which according to them is a magical technology that's supposed to make calls clearer than any other carrier. That's what Sprint brainwashed people into believing. I still know people that believe in that BS.

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by bobolito

There's a lot of people that went with Sprint simply because they believed Sprint was the only one that has "PCS", which according to them is a magical technology that's supposed to make calls clearer than any other carrier. That's what Sprint brainwashed people into believing. I still know people that believe in that BS.

I kind of thought that when I went into the Sprint Store for the 1st time in 2000. The rep was telling me how much better PCS was and clear calls and no bad signal like you get in analog with Verizon and US Cellular. Interesting that people to my left and right had service with Sprint and were complaning about dropped calls and static while calling. They were doing their best, but I asked the rep about this and she said it is a very rare case to not get a clear call or a drop call where we have service come to find out that they had tons of dropped calls during that time and they did have a problem with static for awhile in the Des Moines Metro. Lost alot of faith in the Sprint Reps I think they were trained to not tell the truth.

[larry]

Originally Posted by bobolito

There's a lot of people that went with Sprint simply because they believed Sprint was the only one that has "PCS", which according to them is a magical technology that's supposed to make calls clearer than any other carrier. That's what Sprint brainwashed people into believing. I still know people that believe in that BS.

Hey if it works why not go with it? Verizon has managed to brainwash people into thinking they have the best coverage everywhere and it's worked.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by larry

Hey if it works why not go with it? Verizon has managed to brainwash people into thinking they have the best coverage everywhere and it's worked.

Exactly, lol good point

[bobolito]

At least some of what Verizon says is actually true.

[ehcruzan]

AFAIK, they all exagerate! Therefore all of them tell some truth, but they tend to go overboard.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bobolito

At least some of what Verizon says is actually true.

Can you hear me now???

[DandyDon]

Here's some info on the merging of networks:

Will the merger mean existing Nextel and Sprint customers will have to buy new phones?

No, or at least not soon. Company officials say customers can continue using their phones once the merger is approved. Although the two companies will eventually use a new network based on Sprint's technology, they pledged to maintain Nextel's proprietary system through at least 2007.

What if I want new features?

Sprint is best known for its high-speed network; Nextel for its walkie-talkie, or push-to-talk, service. If you are an existing customer of one company and want to use the other company's technology in the short term, visit the carrier's stores and talk with a representative after the merger is completed.

Will Sprint's walkie-talkie customers be able to talk to Nextel's without new phones?

Yes. Soon after the merger is completed (which company officials hope will be by next summer), the two firms plan to set up a "gateway" that would let Sprint's Ready Link customers have push-button conversations with Nextel users, and vice versa. However, Sprint customers won't be able to use Nextel's system until 2006. That's when Sprint-Nextel plans to sell a "dual-mode" phone that would allow customers to use either system.

Will Nextel's customers have access to Sprint's high-speed data wireless service?

Once the deal closes, Nextel plans to offer its customers a data card that could be used in a laptop to gain access to Sprint's data network. It's too early to say how much this would cost, but since this is an extra service, Nextel customers should expect to pay some additional fees.

Will the companies' technologies ever be combined in a single network?

Yes; the new company hopes to have an integrated system by 2007.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by DandyDon

Here's some info on the merging of networks:

Will the merger mean existing Nextel and Sprint customers will have to buy new phones?

No, or at least not soon. Company officials say customers can continue using their phones once the merger is approved. Although the two companies will eventually use a new network based on Sprint's technology, they pledged to maintain Nextel's proprietary system through at least 2007.

What if I want new features?

Sprint is best known for its high-speed network; Nextel for its walkie-talkie, or push-to-talk, service. If you are an existing customer of one company and want to use the other company's technology in the short term, visit the carrier's stores and talk with a representative after the merger is completed.

Will Sprint's walkie-talkie customers be able to talk to Nextel's without new phones?

Yes. Soon after the merger is completed (which company officials hope will be by next summer), the two firms plan to set up a "gateway" that would let Sprint's Ready Link customers have push-button conversations with Nextel users, and vice versa. However, Sprint customers won't be able to use Nextel's system until 2006. That's when Sprint-Nextel plans to sell a "dual-mode" phone that would allow customers to use either system.

Will Nextel's customers have access to Sprint's high-speed data wireless service?

Once the deal closes, Nextel plans to offer its customers a data card that could be used in a laptop to gain access to Sprint's data network. It's too early to say how much this would cost, but since this is an extra service, Nextel customers should expect to pay some additional fees.

Will the companies' technologies ever be combined in a single network?

Yes; the new company hopes to have an integrated system by 2007.

Good Q&A, thanks for posting that!

[bobolito]

Dandy, where's the link for that information? I found this other one, though:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/da...13750/d425.htm


By the way, it looks like they have a great plan as you can see below. Let's just hope that it works as promised.

[DandyDon]

Originally Posted by bobolito

Dandy, where's the link for that information? I found this other one, though:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/da...13750/d425.htm

It's the Washington Post. Sometimes it can viewed without having to register but most of the times you can't (why I didn't post) Here it is though: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Dec15.html

Another good link is the interview with Forsee and Donahue on CNBC: http://video.msn.com/video/p.htm?t=1...270e017841&rf=

[larry]

Originally Posted by DandyDon

Here's some info on the merging of networks:

Will the merger mean existing Nextel and Sprint customers will have to buy new phones?

No, or at least not soon. Company officials say customers can continue using their phones once the merger is approved. Although the two companies will eventually use a new network based on Sprint's technology, they pledged to maintain Nextel's proprietary system through at least 2007.

What if I want new features?

Sprint is best known for its high-speed network; Nextel for its walkie-talkie, or push-to-talk, service. If you are an existing customer of one company and want to use the other company's technology in the short term, visit the carrier's stores and talk with a representative after the merger is completed.

Will Sprint's walkie-talkie customers be able to talk to Nextel's without new phones?

Yes. Soon after the merger is completed (which company officials hope will be by next summer), the two firms plan to set up a "gateway" that would let Sprint's Ready Link customers have push-button conversations with Nextel users, and vice versa. However, Sprint customers won't be able to use Nextel's system until 2006. That's when Sprint-Nextel plans to sell a "dual-mode" phone that would allow customers to use either system.

Will Nextel's customers have access to Sprint's high-speed data wireless service?

Once the deal closes, Nextel plans to offer its customers a data card that could be used in a laptop to gain access to Sprint's data network. It's too early to say how much this would cost, but since this is an extra service, Nextel customers should expect to pay some additional fees.

Will the companies' technologies ever be combined in a single network?

Yes; the new company hopes to have an integrated system by 2007.

I wonder when PCS to PCS will be free between Sprint/Nextel calling?

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by larry

I wonder when PCS to PCS will be free between Sprint/Nextel calling?

I think if I remember right, for Cingular and AT&T, it was after FCC approval. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by azcellphonejunkie

I think if I remember right, for Cingular and AT&T, it was after FCC approval. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

It was officially the 15th of November, but they were doing it around the 7th without announcing it, to make sure the bugs were worked out.

[bobolito]

Cingular/AT&T M2M started working as early as September in some areas. Then it was gradually activated across the country during October and November. For me, it started working around mid-September.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by larry

I wonder when PCS to PCS will be free between Sprint/Nextel calling?

Actually, that would not be PCS to PCS. That would be more like PCS to Beep-Beep

[ehcruzan]

Originally Posted by bobolito

Actually, that would not be PCS to PCS. That would be more like PCS to Beep-Beep

I think we ought to award Bobolito the "Wireless Advisor Poster of the Year" award. Your posts and Avatars are very creative.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by ehcruzan

I think we ought to award Bobolito the "Wireless Advisor Poster of the Year" award. Your posts and Avatars are very creative.

Not to mention extremely informative!

[bobolito]

awwww....my face is red

[larry]

Originally Posted by ehcruzan

I think we ought to award Bobolito the "Wireless Advisor Poster of the Year" award. Your posts and Avatars are very creative.

Bobolito already won 'poster of the year' awards in 2002 and 2003.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by larry

Bobolito already won 'poster of the year' awards in 2002 and 2003.

He has my backing for 2004. Especially with the santa smiley

[WirelessBeachBum]

Originally Posted by bobolito

Actually, that would not be PCS to PCS. That would be more like PCS to Beep-Beep

PCS to that damn annoying chirp chirp sound.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by larry

Bobolito already won 'poster of the year' awards in 2002 and 2003.

I also got the JD Power award.