[July 16, 2004] National Governors Association Selects Nextel to Provide Wireless Communications for Annual Meeting Taking Place in Seattle SEATTLE --(Business Wire)-- July 16, 2004 -- Wireless Leader in Long-Range Digital Walkie-Talkie Service to Ensure Instant Communications for Security and Operations Staff Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL) today announced that it will provide wireless phones and a private radio console interoperability solution for the National Governors Association's (NGA) 2004 annual meeting in Seattle, July 17-19. Nextel's technology will provide instant wireless communications among all operations staff, as well as the security detail, which will include local public safety organizations such as the Washington State Patrol. "Nextel has provided wireless communications at this conference for the past two years and they continue to deliver a technology that our staff and security needs and that no other carrier can give us," said Christine LaPaille of the NGA. "We depend on the instant digital walkie-talkie service for efficient and reliable communications. It is critical to the implementation of a successful conference." For the conference, Nextel has committed phones equipped with cellular phone service, text messaging and Direct Connect(R)--Nextel's unique long-range digital walkie-talkie feature. In addition, Nextel will provide a console interoperability solution that will allow public safety private radio systems to communicate seamlessly with Nextel handsets using Direct Connect. The previously incompatible radio handset technologies that will be in use by the various public safety organizations at the NGA conference will be linked by Nextel, helping to provide added security for conference employees and attendees. "The Washington State Patrol's mission for the National Governor's Association Annual Meeting is to ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable event for all attendees," explained Chief Lowell M. Porter. "In order to fulfill this mission it is critical to have communications services that are efficient and reliable. We are grateful for the support of Nextel in helping us fulfill our mission." "Nextel is thrilled to work with the NGA Conference in Seattle this year," said Jeff Brennan, Nextel's area vice president for the Pacific Northwest. "Our strong foundation in the Puget Sound area ensures that our infrastructure is first rate and that we understand and can anticipate the needs of the organizations involved. We are confident that our technology and network capabilities will provide for safe and dependable communications." The NGA, which first met in 1908, supports the work of the governors by providing a bipartisan forum to help shape and implement national policy and to solve state problems. The NGA meeting typically includes governors of nearly all 50 states plus U.S. commonwealths and territories. In addition, about 1,200 representatives from business, industry, cabinet officials, federal and local governments as well as national and local journalists are expected to be in attendance. Nextel is a market leader in providing instant wireless communication designed to specifically address the critical communications needs of government agencies, police, firefighters and other emergency workers in times of emergencies or during preplanned events, such as the NGA Annual Conference. About Nextel Nextel Communications, a FORTUNE 200 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Today 95 percent of FORTUNE 500(R) companies are Nextel customers. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc. currently serve 296 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 252 million people live or work. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]