Nextel Communications Announces Public Service Messages for '9/11,' Eyewitness Story of the World Trade Center Attack, Sunday, March 10 On the CBS Television Network

Business Wire, March 8, 2002

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2002

Presentation Will Be Broadcast Without Customary Commercials

Uniformed Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund, The September

11th Fund, The Hon. Tom Ridge and Rescue Worker Pictorial Tribute

Featured Among Special Messages

Wireless telecommunications provider Nextel Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL), the exclusive underwriter of the CBS Special "9/11," will devote its television network time during the presentation to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes, as well as pay tribute to America's public safety workers.

"9/11," an insider's account of the World Trade Center attack, will be broadcast Sunday, March 10 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. "9/11," the work of French filmmakers Gedeon and Jules Naudet and firefighter James Hanlon, is an eyewitness story, with extraordinary video that has never been broadcast. Robert De Niro will host the presentation.

The two-hour program will have three brief breaks but will not contain customary commercials. Instead, Nextel is allocating the time to:

-- The Uniformed Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund for the benefit of
firefighters' families,

-- A PSA from The September 11th Fund and the Ad Council containing a national
800 number for those that need Sept. 11th related help, including mental health
counseling, substance abuse assistance, housing dislocation and financial
assistance.

-- A powerful photographic tribute to rescue workers nationwide. The homage
will include the work of dozens of photographers specially commissioned across
the country to capture the images of America's public safety servants at work
in their local communities, and

-- The Hon. Tom Ridge, Director, Office of Homeland Security, who will deliver
a special message.

About Nextel

Nextel Communications Inc., 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. Nextel and Nextel Partners Inc., currently serve 197 of the top 200 U.S. markets.

Through recent market launches, Nextel and Nextel Partners service is available today in areas of the U.S. where approximately 230 million people live or work.