BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Nextel Communications Inc. is awarding cell site contracts to continue its network build out across the United States, likely needed for its nationwide direct connect service and to prepare the carrier for wireless local number portability.
The company hired NorthStar Communications Group Inc. to provide site acquisition, site construction and program management services for the development of cell sites in 11 states in the south during the next two years. Meanwhile, Tetra Tech Inc. will design and manage the construction of cell sites in the western U.S. during the same time period. And General Dynamics Network Systems was selected to build cell sites in Nextel’s northeast and midwest regions.
Nextel said in an earnings call earlier this week that it added just 128 cell sites in the first quarter but plans to add 1,372 more before the end of year. If that goal is accomplished, the carrier will end 2003 with 1,500 new cell sites for the year and 17,800 total in its portfolio.
