Booming Construction Industry Fosters Growth of Wireless Communications Network; Pacific Northwest Membership of Nextel Builders Network Increases Six-fold in First Year

Business Wire, Jan 6, 1999

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1999--A wireless network exclusively designed for the construction industry is keeping pace with the region's building boom, growing to more than 2,400 Northwest business members since its 1997 launch.

The Nextel Builders Network allows members -- from suppliers, builders and contractors, to specialty trades and other business associates -- to instantly reach one or up to 100 members at the push of a button with Nextel Direct Connect(sm) digital two-way radio. In addition to Nextel's digital cellular and text/numeric paging, the digital two-way radio feature helps members avoid the hassles of voice mail, and keeps projects moving forward, saving time that's often critical in the construction industry.

"On a job site, not knowing the status of your supplies or whereabouts of your subcontractors can hold up an entire project. The Nextel Builders Network helps eliminate the wait and increase efficiency," said Karen Little, president of Nextel's Pacific Northwest area.

As of December 31, 1998, more than 13,000 Nextel phones are in use on the network. Network members include Roberts Trane Inc., and Lease Crutcher Lewis in Washington, and Cascade Acoustics Inc., in Oregon. Membership also includes a range of businesses from Bellingham to Spokane, and from Vancouver, Wash., to Eugene, Ore.

The network's growth is consistent with the dramatic growth of the Pacific Northwest construction economy. In Seattle, residential construction is at its highest level in 10 years, with city permits for more than 3,000 new homes in 1998 tripling the count of 1997 residential construction permits.

Nextel's coverage extends locally along the I-5 corridor from Bellingham, Wash., to Eugene, Ore. Coverage also includes the Tri-Cities and Yakima areas as well as the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene region of the Inland Northwest. In Oregon, service also extends from Madras to Bend, including the Mt. Hood area.

Its Pacific Northwest market headquarters is based in Bellevue, Wash. The company also has offices in Tacoma and Spokane, Wash., and Salem, Tualatin and Portland, Ore.

For more information about the Nextel Builders Network, companies can call 1-800-NEXTEL9. For more information on Nextel visit its Internet site at http//www.nextel.com.

Nextel Direct Connect and Nextel Business Networks are service marks of Nextel Communications, Inc.