Nextel Communications Inc. entered an agreement with Extend America Inc. to provide iDEN network coverage for Nextel in a number of rural markets beginning later this year.
Extend is expected to begin selling wireless digital voice, text and numeric messaging and Nextel’s Nationwide Direct Connect service under the Extend America name, powered by Nextel, and will benefit from the same services as Nextel and Nextel Partners Inc. customers. In addition, Extend’s, Nextel’s and Nextel Partners’ customers will be able to use their service on any of the three companies’ networks at no roaming cost.
Extend said it will initially launch service in Bismarck and Mandan, N.D., covering 13,000 square miles and covering approximately 114,000 potential customers. The company plans to extend coverage to parts of South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana covering an additional 332,000 square miles and approximately 1.8 million pops.
“Extend America’s coverage plan is a perfect complement to the Nextel national network already in place,” said John Chapple, president, chief executive officer and chairman of Nextel Partners.
