Nextel Partners Restores Wireless Service to Gulf Coast; Technicians Work Tirelessly in Hardest Hit Regions; Company Supports American Red Cross Effort with Donations

Business Wire, Sept 6, 2005

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Nextel Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTP), today announced wireless service is restored in much of the mid-sized and rural areas it serves in the devastated Gulf Coast.

Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, technicians from the company poured into the region from across the country. They've installed additional back-up generators to restore power and deployed temporary Cell Sites on Wheels (COWs) to provide coverage where damage prevents immediate restoration. As a result, while the company has incurred millions of dollars in property damage, Nextel Partners has restored more than 85 percent of its wireless service impacted by the storm.

"Our hearts go out to the people of the Gulf Coast, where many of our partners (employees) also live and have family," said Jim Ryder, vice president and chief operating officer of Nextel Partners. "We are focused on doing our part to help the Gulf Coast communities by working as quickly as possible to see service restored and get phones in the hands of relief workers. Our technicians have been working nonstop to give families a way to reconnect with loved ones and emergency response teams like the American Red Cross a way to coordinate relief efforts."

Nextel Partners Supports American Red Cross

Nextel Partners also joined others in supporting the critical efforts of the American Red Cross. Last week it pledged a large cash contribution to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, and is further supporting the cause by matching dollar-for-dollar all partner (employee) contributions through Sept. 30, 2005, and donating $25 for every BlackBerry(R) wireless handset sold through Oct. 31, 2005 in Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas where Nextel Partners is licensed to provide service.

The company also donated hundreds of phones to local American Red Cross chapters, public safety officials and Emergency Operation Centers. Equipped with Nextel(R) walkie-talkie service, the phones are being used to help coordinate rescue and relief efforts throughout the region.

About Nextel Partners

Nextel Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTP), a FORTUNE 1000 company based in Kirkland, Wash., has exclusive rights to offer the same fully integrated, digital wireless communications services offered by Nextel Communications in mid-sized and rural markets in 31 states where approximately 54 million people reside. Nextel Partners and Nextel Communications together offer the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country serving 297 of the top 300 U.S. markets. To learn more about Nextel Partners, visit www.nextelpartners.com.