Nextel Affirms Unwavering Commitment to Consensus Plan; Eliminates 800 MHz Public Safety Interference; Provides Additional Spectrum to Public Safety

Business Wire, May 11, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2004

Fully Funded at No Cost to Taxpayers; Replacement Spectrum at 1.9 GHz Represents Fair Value; CTIA 2.1 GHz Proposal Unacceptable

Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL) today reconfirmed the company's unwavering commitment to the Consensus Plan. The Consensus Plan is the only proactive solution before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that eliminates 800 MHz public safety radio interference and provides much-needed additional public safety spectrum at no cost to the American taxpayer. Nextel's commitment to the Consensus Plan is conditioned on Nextel receiving replacement spectrum at 1.9 GHz in return for its spectrum and financial contribution worth more than $4 billion. Nextel also encouraged the FCC to move ahead promptly to adopt the Consensus Plan.

Nextel is gratified that after more than two years of delay, the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) and its member companies, including Verizon Wireless, have endorsed the basic structure of the Consensus Plan which includes a realignment of the 800 MHz band and the assignment of replacement spectrum to Nextel in return for its substantial contributions. However, the association's attempt to fundamentally alter the terms of the Consensus Plan only serves to delay a timely FCC decision and is clearly an attempt to penalize Nextel and its shareholders.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell, Nextel Chief Executive Officer and President Tim Donahue said, "The Consensus Plan exceeds every goal you and your fellow Commissioners established for this proceeding: eliminating interference, providing additional spectrum for public safety, and minimizing disruption to incumbent 800 MHz licensees. It will enable all 800 MHz licensees to enjoy interference-free spectrum use - whether as competitors, in private system use, or in support of public safety and homeland security missions."

Donahue added, "My responsibility to Nextel's shareholders requires that Nextel obtain comparable value in any retuning transaction: 2.1 GHz does not meet that test. Nextel cannot and will not accept that result."

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 294 of the top 300 U.S. markets where approximately 251 million people live or work.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of the matters and subject areas discussed in this press release that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments, including our belief as to whether the FCC will approve the Consensus Plan, which is qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding any such future expectations described from time to time in Nextel reports filed with the SEC, including Nextel's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. This press release speaks only as of its date, and Nextel disclaims any duty to update the information herein or requirement to do so.