RESTON, Va.-Nextel Communications Inc. and its affiliate Nextel Partners Inc. reported full availability of their Nationwide Direct Connect service across the United States and Hawaii, which the carriers said earlier this year would be completed by mid-August.
“On behalf of everyone at Nextel, I am excited to announce the availability of Nationwide Direct Connect in every single market we serve,” said Tim Donahue, president and chief executive officer of Nextel. “All of Nextel’s integrated voice and data services are now available to all subscribers in all coverage areas.”
Analysts noted the launch should position Nextel ahead of its competitors, which are expected to launch similar nationwide press-to-talk services later this year.
“With the instantaneousness of Direct Connect going nationwide, emerging alternative walkie-talkie interface technologies will be hard-pressed to compete directly with Nextel,” said Adam Guy, senior analyst of wireless and mobile services at the Yankee Group.
