Nextel Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTL - news) introduces the first wireless phone in North America to include Java technology.

The i85s, manufactured by Motorola (NYSE: MOT - news), is pre- loaded with several Java applications, including specialized business calculators and an expense pad. As more Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME)*-enabled applications are developed, Nextel customers will be able to download these applications onto their phones from the nextel.com website. Like all new Nextel phones, the i85s is Internet-ready.

``Nextel's the first to achieve the Java-in-a-wireless-phone breakthrough because we're constantly asking ourselves 'What can we do next to bring greater productivity to the business customer','' said Nextel President and CEO Tim Donahue. ``This innovative focus is paying off, not only because we offer products and services no other company can, but because these new technologies are being fully embraced by business consumers. They depend on our communications capability to connect their workforces, make them more efficient, more productive and more profitable.

``This is just the beginning. The incredible thing about Java is that software applications that many find critical to running their businesses can run on a Nextel phone,'' said Donahue. ``And with hundreds of Java programmers developing new programs, our customers will always have easy access to the latest software developments.''

In addition to Java capabilities, other new features of the i85s include:


Voice Activated Dialing - record 20 most-frequently-called numbers to be "dialed" via voice prompt.

Datebook - input appointments into the phone, and it will alert you when meetings are about to begin. The phone "remembers" when you are in a meeting, automatically silences the ringer and sends all calls to voice mail until you are out of your meeting, then it turns the ringer back on.

Enhanced Phonebook - store 250 entries, with up to seven different numbers for a single name. Access the phonebook by pressing one key, select a name and make the call with a push of a button.

Voice Recorder - record and play back up to 20 messages, i.e. "Get tax file", "Pick up Jane at 2 pm."

Menu Customization - customize the main menu screen so your most-used features appear first.

Larger Screen - adjust font size and number of text lines to suit your preference.

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card - contains service and billing info, enhances security.


In addition, the 4.7 ounce i85s offers Nextel's current features, including: Nextel Direct Connect®, digital two-way radio feature; built-in speaker phone for hands-free calling; Text and Numeric Messaging; Caller ID; voicemail; Turbo Dial(TM) -- one-touch dialing for eight preprogrammed numbers; Quickstore, which instantly adds phone numbers and private IDs to a personal directory; last 20 numbers received/sent list; missed call indicator; 3-Way Calling; and VibraCall® silent notification.

``Sun applauds Nextel's landmark launch of the first Java technology-based mobile phones deployed in the United States,'' said George Paolini, vice president, technology advocacy and marketing, Sun Microsystems. ``The integration of Java technologies into Nextel phones enables Nextel to deliver compelling and easy-to-use wireless interactive services to its business customers.''

``The wireless industry has long tried to simplify the use of Java applications on wireless devices,'' said David Bishop, director of Wireless/Mobile Services with the Yankee Group. ``By using Nextel's iDEN channel to transfer data, Java applications have a greater ease-of-use, allowing wireless users to take advantage of the benefits associated with Java technology.''

Beginning April 2, the i85s will be offered at a promotional price of $199.99, which is $100 off the suggested retail price. The company will introduce its second Java phone, the i50sx, later this month.

The i85s comes with a high performance battery which provides 165 minutes of talk time and 75 hours of standby time, a rapid travel charger enables the battery to go from no charge to fully-charged in two hours, a clip-on carrier, a printed User's Guide, and for the first time, an Interactive CD ROM Users Guide. Additional accessories, including headset, a battery with 270 minutes of talktime and 125 hours of standby time, and cables that can turn your Palm III or IV into a wireless PDA, and car charger can be ordered by calling 1- 800-914-3240 or going to nextel.com.

The Nextel Developers Program facilitates the development of 3rd party Java, WAP and SMS applications for the Nextel platform. To date, more than 1,200 developers have registered to develop wireless applications for vertical, horizontal and corporate markets, including the transportation and delivery industries, professional medical services and the building and construction industries.

J2ME is a version of the Java programming language and stands for ``Java 2 Micro Edition.'' J2ME is designed with the memory and processor limitations of small electronic devices, like cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). J2ME provides the ideal environment for developing and deploying applications that allow Nextel subscribers to transform their handset in to a PDA. The combination of downloadable J2ME applications and Nextel's premier mobile IP based Packet Data network offers customers the opportunity to reduce the number of electronic devices they must carry and manage.
Nextel Communications, Inc., based in Reston, Va., is the leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the United States covering thousands of communities across the United States. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc., currently serve 185 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 217 million people live or work. The Nextel National Network offers a fully integrated wireless communications tool with digital cellular, Text & Numeric Messaging, wireless Internet access and Nextel Direct Connect® -- a digital two-way radio feature. In addition, through Nextel International, Inc., Nextel has wireless operations and investments in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, the Philippines, Peru, Chile and Japan. Please visit the company's website at http://www.nextel.com .

Nextel, the Nextel logo, and Nextel Direct Connect are trademarks and/or service marks of Nextel Communications, Inc