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View Full Version : Merger iDen and CDMA update from Nextel Headquarters


vikingjunior
05-10-2005, 10:34 PM
Credit goes to blazyr at hofo.


Key Messages – Commitment to iDEN

Nextel is committed to providing customers with a superior service experience through the iDEN network:

Nextel customers will be able use their iDEN handsets for years to come, and we plan to continue to operate the iDEN network through at least 2010.

The Nextel National Network is the largest all digital network in the US, covering 262 million people.

Nextel’s network is based on integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN®) always on technology, which provides the fastest and most efficient push to talk (PTT) service (Direct Connect®).


Nextel’s goal is to meet customers’ needs, regardless of technology.


Our merger with Sprint will increase choices and benefits for Nextel and Sprint customers.


New gateway technology and dual-mode handsets are being developed that will link Nextel’s and Sprint’s networks and customers in 2006-2007 timeframe, based on our current estimates of the availability of the technology.


There will be no forced migration to CDMA, rather a natural evolution to a customer mix that includes PTT-centric customers continuing to utilize iDEN, with other customers potentially gravitating towards new advanced features of the next-generation CDMA network (1XEVDO) as customer needs dictate.


The iDEN network is the most cost- efficient national wireless network in operation today, from the perspective of ongoing network management. The new Sprint Nextel will continue to operate both the iDEN and CMDA networks with their different capabilities in ways that maintain customer choice and create shareholder value.

Power of iDEN
Industry Leading Customers: With the highest average revenue per user in the industry at $67 per month and one of the highest loyalty rates (1.5% churn), Nextel has the most valuable customers in the industry. Nextel customers use and stay with Nextel because of the superior experience with the iDEN network. Over 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Nextel.

Superior Push to Talk: Nextel offers the fastest, most efficient walkie-talkie service in the market. Sub-second latency and connection speed help Nextel customers get things Done. There have been more than 110 billion minutes of Direct Connect usage on the Nextel iDEN network since January 1, 2001, and Direct Connect calls increased by more than 20% year over year, comparing 4Q2004 to 4Q2003.

Highest Handset Satisfaction: Nextel’s iDEN handsets garnered the highest ratings in a 2004 independent study for handset satisfaction (Telephia TABs Q4, 2004 Survey). Nextel’s range of handsets is a great fit with the segments we serve.

Advanced Products and Services: With International and Nationwide Direct Connect® walkie-talkie features, Nextel has expanded the reach and power of the push to talk service on iDEN. In addition to walkie-talkie and cellular services, Nextel offers more than 100 business data applications, including industry leading GPS/location-based services and field automation solutions, all on the iDEN platform.


Expanding and Investing in iDEN

Expansion and Enhancement of iDEN Network: Nextel expects to expend over $2 billion in 2005 for the enhancement of the iDEN network, including $1.8 billion in core iDEN network infrastructure and cell sites and $400 million for the development of “gateway” technologies that will connect iDEN and CDMA services and networks. We expect to invest additional sums in 2006 and beyond.

Continuing Supply Agreement with Motorola: On December 16, 2004 Nextel and Motorola announced another extension of our iDEN infrastructure and handset supply agreement. Terms of the existing iDEN infrastructure supply agreement that are being extended include those relating to base station equipment, core network equipment, plus software and hardware maintenance and support services necessary to expand, upgrade and support Nextel’s nationwide iDEN based network.

Introduction of New Handsets: Up to 12 new iDEN handsets are being developed for launch in 2005 alone. These new handsets serve a full range of consumer to business users, including categories such as mobile business, public safety/industrial grade and Boost. New iDEN handsets will include advanced features and functionality.

Delivering Advanced Data Capabilities: Nextel will continue to roll out its new WiDEN data functionality that is designed to increase data rates up to four times faster than current offerings until WiDEN is fully deployed in our network. Building on its push to talk leadership and business market focus, Nextel will utilize this faster speed to expand its data offerings on the iDEN network.

Building a Gateway Between Networks: Nextel continues to invest in developing QChat® and other technologies that are being designed to create interoperability between the iDEN network and other networks based on different technologies. In March 2005, Nextel demonstrated the first ever-interoperable call between an iDEN and CDMA network. Also, Nextel is working with Motorola to develop a dual mode handset to operate on iDEN and CDMA networks.

Commitment to iDEN
Nextel® phones, and all of the new, technologically advanced phones that we introduce this year, will continue to operate on our network for years to come and we plan to continue to operate the iDEN network through at least 2010.


We will honor the terms of your subscriber agreement after Nextel and Sprint merge and we will continue to offer a range of competitive voice and data plans for a variety of needs and budgets.


Our unparalleled Direct Connect® digital walkie-talkie network will continue to expand, enabling our customers to connect coast-to-coast and country-to-country. Instantly.


Merger of Equals with Sprint Corp
New Era in Telecommunications: On December 15, 2004, Nextel announced a merger with Sprint Corporation. This union will create America’s premier communications company, bringing customers compelling new broadband wireless and integrated communications services.

Size & Scale: Sprint Nextel will be the third largest wireless company in the U.S., one of four wireless carriers with a national footprint and an extensive and robust global IP network that will complement and strengthen Sprint Nextel’s wireless networks. The combination of Sprint and Nextel networks will allow Sprint Nextel to expand its coverage and provide better service to its customers. With a combined customer base of more than 44 million wireless subscribers (39.6 million direct and 5 million through affiliates and partners), Sprint Nextel will have the size and scale to compete with Cingular and Verizon.


Increased Customer Choices: Sprint Nextel will be differentiated by providing consumers and businesses more flexibility and choices that enable wireless multi-media, web browsing, messaging, gaming and music while they are on the go, at work or at home.


Sprint Nextel Technology Plan and Timeline
New company will possess robust wireless facilities, including Nextel’s nationwide 800 MHz and 900 MHz iDEN network and Sprint’s nationwide 1.9GHz CDMA voice and data network, including an ongoing nationwide deployment of CDMA 1xEV-DO technology. Following the merger, Sprint Nextel plans to operate both the iDEN and CDMA networks, allowing customers to capitalize on the strengths and features of either network. Operating these networks will create customer choice in a cost effective and efficient way from an operator’s perspective. Sprint’s extensive and robust global IP network will complement and strengthen Sprint Nextel’s wireless networks, yielding cost savings and service quality improvements for the merged company’s customers.

Sprint Nextel will continue to upgrade its CDMA network, including Sprint’s current, ongoing deployment of advanced high speed 1xEV-DO wireless data technology in 2005 and an anticipated move to 1xEV-DO Rev. A in 2006-2008. Over time, we plan to make many of the current features of the iDEN network available on the CDMA network.

For several years, Sprint Nextel will continue to develop and maintain the iDEN network. Going forward, Sprint Nextel will maintain both CDMA and iDEN platforms so that consumers have both choices. Customers who prefer the instant-communication push-to-talk service will be able to choose the iDEN network. Those who are interested in wireless data will be able to choose the CDMA network.

Also, Nextel continues to invest in developing QChat® and other technologies that are being designed to create interoperability between the iDEN network and other networks based on different technologies. In March 2005, Nextel demonstrated the first ever-interoperable call between an iDEN and CDMA network. Also, Nextel is working with Motorola to develop a dual mode handset to operate on iDEN and CDMA networks. Sprint Nextel expects to continue these developments to create interoperability between iDEN and CDMA.

Sprint and Nextel presently anticipate the following post-merger technology plans, based on current assumptions regarding the availability of future technology developments and enhancements and the resources to deploy any future technology:

2005 (upon close of the merger):

Identify and initiate site sharing between Sprint and Nextel

Commence integrating business operations

Continue investment in CDMA and iDEN networks


2006:

Merge operations systems and transport network

Continue site sharing and investing in CDMA and iDEN networks

Begin technical trials of 4G

Develop dual mode handset for use on CDMA and iDEN networks

Continue billing and infrastructure enhancement



2007:

Complete rebanding of 800 MHz by the end of the year

Begin deployment of 4G broadband data by end of the year

Trial VOIP and push to talk on EV*DO Rev A and 4G

Continue site sharing and investing in CDMA and iDEN networks


vikingjunior
05-10-2005, 10:37 PM
2008:

Continue site sharing for the CDMA and iDEN networks

Market iDEN service offering to push to talk centric customers and public sector

Utilize CDMA network for all subscriber growth and upgrades

Launch push to talk on CDMA EV*DO Rev A

Continue 4G market launches in top markets offering voice and data services



2009-2010:

Continue site sharing for the CDMA and iDEN networks

Continue operation of iDEN network through at least 2010

Continue operation of CDMA 1xEV-DO Rev A network

Accelerate 4G market launch

Forward-Looking Statements

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of the matters discussed in this presentation that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments, in particular, information regarding the new company, including expected synergies resulting from the merger of Sprint and Nextel, combined operating and financial data, future technology plans, and whether and when the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be consummated. The discussion of such matters is qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, and also may materially differ from actual future experience involving any one or more of such matters. Such risks and uncertainties include: the failure to realize capital and operating expense synergies; the result of the review of the proposed merger by various regulatory agencies, and any conditions imposed on the new company in connection with consummation of the merger; approval of the merger by the stockholders of Sprint and Nextel and satisfaction of various other conditions to the closing of the merger contemplated by the merger agreement; and the risks that are described from time to time in Sprint's and Nextel's respective reports filed with the SEC, including Sprint's registration statement on Form S-4, filed March 15, 2005, and each companies annual report on Form 10*K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and any current reports on Form 8-K and quarterly report on Form 10*Q filed thereafter, as any such reports may be amended. This presentation speaks only as of its date, and Sprint and Nextel each disclaims any duty to update the information herein.


Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, a registration statement on Form S*4 was filed by Sprint with the SEC on March 15, 2005. SHAREHOLDERS OF SPRINT AND SHAREHOLDERS OF NEXTEL ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS THAT IS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMBINATION. The final joint proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of Sprint and shareholders of Nextel. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents free of charge at the SEC's web site, www.sec.gov, from Sprint Investor Relations at Sprint Corporation, 6200 Sprint Parkway, Overland Park, Kansas 66251, 800-259-3755, Option 1 or from Nextel Investor Relations at 2001 Edmund Halley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191, 703-433-4300.



Participants In Solicitation


Sprint, Nextel and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the combination. Information concerning Sprint's and Nextel's participants, as well as the interests of participants of Sprint and Nextel in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the combination, is set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus that is a part of the registration statement on Form S*4 filed by Sprint with the SEC on March 15, 2005.

danny.boi
05-10-2005, 11:01 PM
Looks like Sprint has a lot on its hands. I wish the best to all the employees who will have to go through all the madness. I know, I've been through a few large mergers myself. No matter how pretty the press releases paint it, on the inside, there is bound to be mix ups and confusion. I implore all current Nextel and Sprint employees to take the time to really get to learn about eachothers technology so they will be better suited to help customers with the questions they may have. I'm sure training will be provided, but a little extra credit won't hurt and will only make you guys seem brighter to the general public and most importantly to high paying Nextel business customers.

It looks like iDEN will be around longer than most originally anticipated. I wonder if future iDEN handsets will have any accessibility to older legacy AMPS networks like current Sprint phones have?

Deval: Does Sprint plan to bring in more digital only phones in their upcoming line up's?

tkrandall
05-11-2005, 07:00 AM
One unanswered question in all the guidance I have seen so far is this:

When (assuming they will) will Sprint-Nextel deploy CDMA voice (not PTT) on the rebanded 800 MHz channels? Will they ever?

Many of us are truly hoping that in 2-3 years a portion of these frequencies will be available to the "consumer" market, thereby improving overall coverage. Yes, I know that means new handsets.

coolqf
05-11-2005, 07:38 AM
WOW, this will be a SLOW transition!!!

fl00d_pr0z
05-11-2005, 08:32 AM
Now I'm kinda confused. Is that saying Sprint / Nextel won't be able to use each other's towers for a few more years ?

vikingjunior
05-11-2005, 08:46 AM
What I get from some of it is, that iDen is gonna be around awhile but sprint customers are gonna be able to utilize it with interopertiable handsets. So we will have the best of both worlds, we will have 1.9mhz cdma and 800mhz iDen available to us. Now when they talk about interopertiable there talking about PTT of course pcs-nextel calls should be unlimited.

fl00d_pr0z
05-11-2005, 08:51 AM
Ah, how I read it was that we will have to choose if we want IDen or CDMA for a long time to come.

vikingjunior
05-11-2005, 09:19 AM
Ah, how I read it was that we will have to choose if we want IDen or CDMA for a long time to come.


Actual your right it does use the vergbage " choice" I guess it will be like that until a interopertiable phone comes out. So I can switch to iDen phone without actually switching carriers. I think I would opt for the interopertiable.

fl00d_pr0z
05-11-2005, 01:40 PM
Guess we'll just have to wait and see like everything else. LoL

upp3r 3ch3lon
05-11-2005, 01:42 PM
what surprises me is the relatively short time until a dual mode handset with the ability to work on iDEN and CDMA networks. Hopefully, this new handset will be similar (or better than) to a series 60 phone and have UNCRIPPLED bluetooth.

EliteSoja
05-11-2005, 01:43 PM
Good information.

INTERNET2000
05-11-2005, 03:07 PM
Hello...

Does this mean that current Sprint customers will be able to purchase new handsets to use the coverage areas of both networks? Meaning that you can use Sprint's 1900 MHZ network to make or call or the Nextel 800 MHZ as long as you have a handset that supports it? Or am I totally off? :indiff:

This transition seems like it is going to be a very long one!

tkrandall
05-11-2005, 03:26 PM
Hello...

Does this mean that current Sprint customers will be able to purchase new handsets to use the coverage areas of both networks? Meaning that you can use Sprint's 1900 MHZ network to make or call or the Nextel 800 MHZ as long as you have a handset that supports it? Or am I totally off? :indiff:



No one seems to give a clear answer on that question. Clearly they will deploy CDMA on the new 1900 spectrum Nextel is getting, and will also likely deploy CDMA on the 800 MHz band once re-banding of the SMRS channels is done (late 2007?). They will also maintain IDEN on at least a portion of the rebanded 800 and also the non-rebanded 900, one would presume. What is not clear is whether or not any of the CDMA deployed on a portion of the rebanded 800 band will be alloted to regular voice CDMA. I hope it will.

Ideally, I'd like to see Sprint-Nextel deploy:

1900 CDMA Voice, Data, CDMA based PTT
800 CDMA Voice, possibly data, CDMA based PTT, and IDEN
900 Channels IDEN

Hopefully once Rev A is out, they will be able to do this. I'd hate to see CDMA voice being relegated to 1900 only forever. Let 1900 be prirmary, but use and/or hand off to 800 CDMA as needed for range and call reliability. (and maybe 900 can be primary for IDEN, with a protion of the 800 channels also used for IDEN) Certainly that is doable. Will they, though?

vikingjunior
05-11-2005, 03:56 PM
OK the interopertiable phone meaning one that works on iden and cdma will be avialble in 2006 2007, that is the one sprint people can buy to DC nextel phones. Nextel people don't need to get anything for a while unless they want to benefit from interopertiability or cdma and data.
Everyone will be on the same platform but not for quite a while, this is going to be a slow go.

So if you want to benefit from 800 mhz go iden if not stay were you are, heck am sure PCS-NEXTEL calls will be unlimited.

H3avyHitta
05-11-2005, 07:53 PM
so iDen and CDMA wont be able to talk to each other untill 2006/07 this is going to ****in suck

tkrandall
05-11-2005, 08:19 PM
No, RL/DC interoperability (RL phone connecting to a DC phone) is a short term high priority. Might be up by end of the year.

KevC84
05-11-2005, 08:55 PM
I saw a Slideshow presentation from Sprint that said alot of the same things except not into as much detail but anyways this is what I gather. iDEN is not going anywhere for a while. They want to keep it atleast until 2010 until they deploy Qchat on CDMA EV-DO Rev. A. For Sprint and Nextel customers, the next five years are going to be pretty much about choice and preference. You can get iDEN if you want fast, reliable PTT and voice or go to CDMA if you want to take advantage of Data. Sometime in between 2006 and 2007 Sprint Nextel will have a gateway in place to make PTT calls interoperable amongst CDMA and iDEN networks while at the same time offering Dual-Mode phones to take advantage of both worlds. Think back to Cingular and AT&T when they launched their GAIT phones for both TDMA and GSM. Now unfortunately unlike the GSM carriers it seems like the transition in this case is going to take longer. Nextel is dedicated to their customers and does not want to force them to switch phone anytime soon possible causing them to be upset especially if they recently purchased a phone and forked over a good chunk of change. Besides since iDEN PTT is more reliable, it makes sense to keep it for those customer who relly on it. Once the merger is official and all of the subscribers know about it, they will make their future decisions wisely. Afterall the longest contract is 2-years giving customers who are in a contract plenty of time to decide wether they want to stay on iDEN once their contract is up or switch to CDMA. For a while Sprint Nextel will have 3 types of PTT: DirectConnect (iDEN), ReadyLink (1xRTT CDMA) and Qchat (CDMA EV-DO) and they will all work with each other. If anything I can see them getting rid of ReadyLink in the future once they migrate everyone to EV-DO phones and just stay with DC and Qchat.

It is interesting and good to know that Sprint Nextel has succesfully tested a DC to RL call in March. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to launch the gateway. At this rate I can see it by years end or Q2 2006 latest. Let's hope its earlier.

vikingjunior
05-11-2005, 10:00 PM
Nice post, I wouldn't mind going iDen for a little while as long as I can keep my plan and then maybe switch back to cdma, this is where sim cards would be nice.

H3avyHitta
05-11-2005, 10:20 PM
yeah man i was getting worried about that good post and i wonder how they got RL & Dc working together?

jjshaw01
05-11-2005, 10:51 PM
Sprint can't even get instant rebates on upgrades. No one should have ever thought they would make this easy.

HiTEC
05-12-2005, 05:39 AM
Ideally, I'd like to see Sprint-Nextel deploy:

1900 CDMA Voice, Data, CDMA based PTT
800 CDMA Voice, possibly data, CDMA based PTT, and IDEN
900 Channels IDEN


Nextel does not hold 900MHz licenses across the country. They only have that spectrum in select areas.

the2ndflood
06-03-2005, 06:57 AM
All negative comments aside, this merger will be a great thing! I can't wait!

INTERNET2000
06-03-2005, 08:42 AM
I think everyone just wants it to happen faster! :clap:

tkrandall
06-03-2005, 10:21 AM
Nextel does not hold 900MHz licenses across the country. They only have that spectrum in select areas.

As long as they allocate a slice of the rebanded 800 spectrum to CDMA voice, I'll be happy. I really hope they will do this, and create a 800/1900 overlayed system that can dynamically hand-off calls to 800 to enhance coverage and in-building penetration. If they can figure out a way to use 1900 for most of the calls, and 800 as needed to enhance coverage (for carrying calls and control/paging channels), that would really give rock-solid coverage. Hopefully they will have enough 800 (and 900) channels to accomplish this and continue to host IDEN.

kLiMaX
06-03-2005, 12:31 PM
i want sprint to sprint to nextel for free :) then i will need about 30 min a month just to check my voicemail

wl_lifestyle
06-03-2005, 03:12 PM
As long as they allocate a slice of the rebanded 800 spectrum to CDMA voice, I'll be happy. I really hope they will do this, and create a 800/1900 overlayed system that can dynamically hand-off calls to 800 to enhance coverage and in-building penetration. If they can figure out a way to use 1900 for most of the calls, and 800 as needed to enhance coverage (for carrying calls and control/paging channels), that would really give rock-solid coverage. Hopefully they will have enough 800 (and 900) channels to accomplish this and continue to host IDEN.


They shouldn't have any issue with that, sense thats what all the other providers do for their 800/1900.

I really wish they had a quicker time table for all of this, i was with at&t during their assimilation, and that was bad enough. Having it drawn out for multiple years is gonna be horrid on the sales teams. Thank god I've gone back to IT :D.

hotcivic80
02-08-2006, 06:18 AM
Now I'm kinda confused. Is that saying Sprint / Nextel won't be able to use each other's towers for a few more years ?



means that in the next years we will remain as is.

rip
02-08-2006, 08:41 AM
Now I'm kinda confused. Is that saying Sprint / Nextel won't be able to use each other's towers for a few more years ?


That was kinda the idea behind the update. Sprint Nextel is quite possible "changing directions" on many of their previous statements. What they are doing is leaving everything open ended. Some things that were originally planned arent working out so well. Others are going all to easy. So this "update" was just to say...."this is what we would like to happen, and when we would like it to happen. But dont count your chickens before they hatch."

Jonathanlc2005
02-08-2006, 12:10 PM
can i get Qchat for my ev-do phone or should i wait for ev-do rev a. it would make a whole lot more sense for a ev-do and not rev.a

jboidc
02-08-2006, 12:25 PM
Qchat is a ways out . . . EV-DO Rev. A, I believe.

hotcivic80
02-08-2006, 12:40 PM
yea u can do it just need to get the proper software and or call the tech support @ the sprint # and u're good to go.

the2ndflood
02-08-2006, 08:48 PM
It is interesting and good to know that Sprint Nextel has succesfully tested a DC to RL call in March. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to launch the gateway. At this rate I can see it by years end or Q2 2006 latest. Let's hope its earlier.

I have seen some articles that list the samething, by years end. I am really looking forward to a voice gateway though. A dual-mode iDEN/CDMA voice and PPT phone. A lot of haters make it seem like Nextel's iDEN voice is too outdated, but it is not. The data is slow, but the voice quality is just fine. So a dual-mode voice phone would be a really great feature.

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