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Beyond Push-to-Talk, Current Nextel Direct Connect Capabilities Include Push-to-Send email, Contact Info or Pictures; Coming Launch of
New Phones Will Enable Additional Features
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2008--With Nextel Direct Connect, customers of Sprint (NYSE:S) have access to more than just the world's fastest and largest push-to-talk service and the only such service with international capabilities - they also have industry-leading "push-to-x" capabilities. Push-to-x features bring the convenience of "the button" to multiple Nextel Direct Connect applications, including push-to-send voice messages to any email address, with NextMail(SM), and push-to-send pictures or contact info with Direct Send(SM).
"Part of our 15 years of experience offering industry-leading Nextel Direct Connect has been offering innovative uses for 'the button' with push-to-x features," said John Garcia, chief marketing officer for Sprint. "Whether it's reviewing a picture while on a call or quickly sending full contact information, Nextel Direct Connect offers users even more ways to get things done instantly with the button."
"Instant communication is critical to customers who need to maximize their productivity in our fast-paced world, and Nextel Direct Connect has been providing that capability for years," said Nate Dyer, senior analyst at Yankee Group. "Sprint has taken that same 'instant' customer requirement and extended the simplicity and speed beyond voice calls to a range of other push-to-x capabilities."
Push-to-Email
With NextMail, customers can use the Nextel Direct Connect button to push-to-send voice messages to any email address. The NextMail service allows customers to select a recipient from their address book, push the Direct Connect button, speak to record the message and release the button to send the message to their recipient's email address. The recipient receives an email in their Inbox with a link they can click to listen to the message and respond back to the sender via text. NextMail is available for $7.50 per month.
Push-to-Picture
Customers can also use their Direct Connect button to send a picture to compatible phones, with Direct Send. Customers can send the picture while on a Direct Connect call, and the picture appears on both the sender's and recipient's phones simultaneously, so they can view and discuss in real time. Direct Send is the industry's only push-to-picture service that allows pictures to be sent while on a call, enabling a real estate agent to share a photo of a new listing with a client for immediate discussion or a construction worker to instantly send a picture to management to discuss the latest progress on the job site. Direct Send Picture is available on compatible phones for $0.25 per picture.
Push-to-Send Contact Information
Direct Send also allows customers to instantly send contact information at the push of a button. Customers can send their own contact information or the contact information of anyone in their address book - including email address, fax number, pager number and more - simply by selecting the desired contact from their address book and pushing the Direct Connect button. Sending contact information is available on compatible phones at no additional charge to Nextel Direct Connect subscribers.
Future Push-to-X
In addition to the current push-to-x features available on Nextel Direct Connect, new capabilities are expected as a result of the launch later this year of a new line of Nextel Direct Connect-capable phones with Sprint Mobile Broadband data capabilities. This expansion of Nextel Direct Connect is expected to ultimately deliver robust capabilities including new 'push-to-x' features, which could include push-to-text, push-to-locate, push-to-information and other enhanced features in the future, all designed to further extend the concept of one-touch communications.
With more than 15 years of expertise, Sprint is the undisputed leader in push-to-talk with the largest community of existing subscribers. Nextel Direct Connect has set the industry standard for push-to-talk and serves millions of Nextel Direct Connect subscribers on the world's fastest push-to-talk network. These customers made more than 90 billion Direct Connect calls in 2007.
Nextel Direct Connect is the only push-to-talk product in the industry that offers:
-- Industry-leading performance with the advantage of instant connection (less than 1 second) that is unparalleled -- Connection to millions of other existing Nextel Direct Connect subscribers -- Nationwide and international push-to-talk services -- The largest portfolio of push-to-talk devices, including the largest selection of rugged phones -- Integrated business solutions, including the largest selection of GPS-solutions -- Priority push-to-talk services for authorized public safety/emergency subscribers
For more information about Nextel Direct Connect, please visit www.sprint.com/nexteldirectconnect.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks serving approximately 54 million customers at the end of 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
CONTACT: Sprint Nextel Emmy Anderson, 913-707-0618 emmy.anderson@sprint.com SOURCE: Sprint Nextel