Nextel Partners Launches First ''Four-in-One'' Wireless Service in Central Wisconsin

Business Wire, Dec 18, 2001

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

WAUSAU, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2001

Businesses Benefit from Integrated Digital Cellular, Wireless

Internet Access, Two-Way Radio and Messaging Features in One Phone

Local businesses interested in increasing productivity and maximizing resources can now access the first "four-in-one" digital wireless service available in Central Wisconsin.

Nextel Partners today officially launched its all-digital wireless network with service in Wausau, Merrill, Weston, Stevens Point, Plover and Shawano. Its service is the only in the region to combine digital cellular, digital two-way radio, wireless Internet access and text/numeric messaging, all in one compact phone.

Nextel Coverage Extends from Wausau to Madison, Green Bay and Eau Claire

Nextel's and Nextel Partners' all-digital wireless network extends along the frequently traveled corridors of I-39 south from Wausau through Stevens Point, Plover and Portage to Madison; Highway 29 east from Wausau through Shawano to Green Bay; Highway 29 west from Wausau to Eau Claire; and I-39 north from Wausau to Merrill.

Nextel Partners brings the latest in Nextel Direct Connect(R) two-way radio service to the region. The feature enables a Nextel customer to communicate with any other Nextel user at the touch of a button -- significantly increasing the number of colleagues, customers and suppliers available via two-way radio within their calling region. Using Nextel Direct Connect, a Nextel Partners customer in Wausau, for example, can press one button and talk instantly with a co-worker or colleague using Nextel service in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Merrill, Shawano, Stevens Point, Plover, Portage, Weston, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Oshkosh, Appleton and Fond du Lac, Wis.; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Chicago, Aurora and Evanston, Ill. -- and pay no long-distance charges and avoid the hassles of voicemail.

The launch expands Nextel's and Nextel Partners' regional coverage, which already includes Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Tomah, Superior and Menomonie, Wis.; Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Winona, Mankato, Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna, Troy, Red Wing, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Alexandria and Fergus Falls, Minn.; Des Moines, Sioux City, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Ames, Marshalltown, Ft. Dodge, Webster City, Clear Lake, Mason City, Dubuque and Quad Cities, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Grand Forks and Fargo, N.D.; and Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island, Neb.

Bodnar Leads as General Manager

Nextel Partners General Manager Ray Bodnar will oversee the company's expansion in the region. Bodnar is responsible for managing the development of Nextel Partners' local wireless coverage network and launching the company's service in the region. Since joining the company in February 2001, Bodnar has successfully led the launch of Nextel Partners' service in all Wisconsin markets.

"Nextel Partners' service will offer strategic capabilities to businesses in the region," said Bodnar. "On a nationwide basis, no other carrier can eliminate the need for multiple communications devices with one simple and affordable solution. Nextel is ideal for businesses that need instant access to co-workers, suppliers and business associates, as well as the quality and security of digital service."

Nextel Partners' local representative is Dave Ness, Direct Sales Manager, who can be reached at 920/371-1111. Nextel Partners has two regional offices located at 1641 Commanche Ave., Suite 1, in Green Bay and 3410 Oakwood Mall Dr., Ste. 200 in Eau Claire. The company employs 50 people regionally to date.

About Nextel Partners

Nextel Partners, Inc., (Nasdaq:NXTP), based in Kirkland, Wash., has the exclusive right to provide digital wireless communications services using the Nextel brand name in 30 states where approximately 51 million people reside. Nextel Partners offers its customers the same fully integrated, digital wireless communications services available from Nextel including digital cellular, text/numeric messaging, wireless Internet access and Nextel Direct Connect(R) digital two-way radio, all in a single wireless phone. Nextel Partners customers can seamlessly access these services anywhere on Nextel's or Nextel Partners' all-digital wireless network, which currently covers 195 of the top 200 U.S. markets. To learn more about Nextel Partners, visit www.nextelpartners.com. To learn more about Nextel's services, visit www.nextel.com.

Nextel and Nextel Direct Connect are registered trademarks of Nextel Communications, Inc.