SAN DIEGO-Contrary to persistent rumors, Nextel Communications Inc.-the largest specialized
mobile radio operator-will remain a member of the American Mobile Telecommunications Association for at least
another year, AMTA board members said following the 1999 Specialized Wireless Management Conference last
week.
“They never said they were leaving,” said AMTA Chairman Bart Fisher of Fisher Wireless
Systems Inc.
However, AMTA President Alan Shark confirmed last month that Nextel was expected to leave the
organization. It is unclear why Nextel decided to stay with AMTA, and company officials would not
comment.
AMTA has realigned its dues structure so Nextel will pay less and smaller SMRs will pay more. Fisher
and other board members discounted this as a reason Nextel decided to stay in the organization. “Every year we
are modifying our dues structure,” Fisher said.
“Money is not an issue of whether [Nextel] wants to
stay. It is whether they feel they are being represented,” said AMTA board member Mark Abrams.
In the past,
smaller SMRs have complained that AMTA cannot adequately address their needs and Nextel’s at the same
time.
Indeed, Fisher noted, “There may come a time when having Nextel leave the organization will benefit
AMTA.”
AMTA also cut two people from its seven-person staff.
