Sprint Nextel News- READ THIS!!! - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

wdduck · **Sprint Nextel News- READ THIS!!! -** 02-20-2008, 10:33 PM

OK folks here it is. I am the General Manager for a dealer and my CEO & President are at a 4 day Sprint Nextel Dealer Conference as I type this. I am getting all kinds of info passed to me. The most important in my mind is the new PTT & WiFi Blackberry coming this year. Thats right you didn't miss read, they are launching a BB with PTT and WiFi. Don't ask me for models or any additional info I don't have it yet. I can tell you they are launching it with WiFi because they obviously can't use the evdo network and they want the available high speed for users. Atleast that is the message. This is all I have on that for now on that. The iDen network is also getting a bunch of new handsets this year. Slimmer phones finally.

I can also tell you that they are launching the Curve in April and the Palm 800w in June. These will be on the CDMA (Sprint network). They are also bring a Windows Mobile handset out with the PTT later this year as well. This will be the Hybrid smart phone.

Enjoy and look forward. I know I am. I left the 7100i for the Treo 700wx and also carrying the i836. I would love to go back to a BB on the Nextel network.

Sith_Apprentice · 02-20-2008, 10:38 PM

for the record, just because the device is PTT doesnt make it iDEN. there have been several PTT blackberrys since the 7100i, none of them are on iDEN. keep in mind that Sprint also has their PTT (Ready-Link). They are also working on qchat and wi-max so it is entirely possible *if* this info is what they are going to do, that it will not be on the iDEN side.

wdduck · 02-20-2008, 10:43 PM

I am just telling you what is coming out of the meetings. A new iDen BB is coming and they are not actually calling the new Direct Connect Q-chat. They are refering to it as Push to X. I have no reason to make this up. Again I am only passing info from the conference Sprint Nextel is holding in Nashville TN right now.

Sith_Apprentice · 02-20-2008, 10:46 PM

i know, and i just saying it would be odd for RIM to release information like this so far in advance, seeing as they are notoriously closed about upcoming devices. if they just tell every subdealer what is going on, information would be all over the net for their entire years lineup. if the information is accurate that would mean a great boost to Sprint/Nextel which might help stabilize their loses.

juwaack68 · 02-20-2008, 11:09 PM

Interesting. Will be welcome to Sprint and Nextel users alike.

brokenchode · 02-21-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdduck

I can also tell you that they are launching the Curve in April and the Palm 800w in June. These will be on the CDMA (Sprint network). They are also bring a Windows Mobile handset out with the PTT later this year as well. This will be the Hybrid smart phone.

What did they say about the Sprint BB? Any and all info would be much appreciated.

treybon · **OS:** 4.5.0.77

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.0.10031/264; U; en))

This is what I was telling you to KYEO for last week, Sith. It will be iDEN.

Dawg · **OS:** 4.5.0.138

Quote:

Originally Posted by treybon

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.50 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.0.10031/264; U; en))

This is what I was telling you to KYEO for last week, Sith. It will be iDEN.

will believe it when I see it. Not before only because I also have inside Info on the IDEN side. I work side by side with our EMA/Homeland Security Director. And the info we are getting from Nextel is very different from what you are saying.

mas90guru · 02-21-2008, 07:27 AM

I'm using an 8320 with WIFI (and have been since last year) with T-Mobile -- so while a WIFI BB may be news for Sprint -- it's old had for the rest of the world. Even AT&T has a WIFI Blackberry already on the market.

Q-Chat has been talked about for going on how many years? I would take a WAG at 2 years. For some reason Sprint/Nextel have never been able to get their PTT networks to inter-operate. Despite multiple "just around the corner" promises.

I'm not seeing the "newness" in anything here. Just my .02

purephase · **OS:** 5.0.0.190

I can't see it happening. You know what the battery life on an iDen/Wifi device would be like? Hardly get a day out of it now. As Dawg said, I'll believe it when I see it. This type of announcement so far in advance is very unlike RIM.

myet01 · 02-21-2008, 08:30 AM

wdduck, I just want to say thanks for the news. Some folks are always negative and trying to shoot holes in any information that comes out. As a manager you took a big risk passing us this information and I want to say thanks very much. I in particular am waiting very anxiously for the BB Curve. I wish it was March instead of April but oh well.

Tony

beatwombat · **iDen BB -** 02-21-2008, 10:24 AM

I was on a webcast and they announced the iDEn BB last week. It willhave a full QWERTY keyboard, wifi , and DC. Wont be out till Q4 though.

PowerCell · 02-21-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatwombat

Wont be out till Q4 though.

I'm not too confident iDEN will have a pulse come 4th quarter...

juwaack68 · 02-21-2008, 11:41 AM

They will....

bartco · 02-21-2008, 01:33 PM

I appreciate the news as I use the PTT with my 7100i. I'd love to upgrade the OS. My current version is 4.1.0.376 Is there anything more current? If so, could you please provide a link. Thanks...

purephase · **OS:** 5.0.0.190

That was the final OS release for the 7100i.

I just don't see the demand for a new iDEN BB. By Q4 almost all of the existing BB iDEN subscribers will have jumped ship to other networks since the 3-year plans on the 7100i will have all expired.

wdduck · 02-21-2008, 03:00 PM

This Verifies some of the info:

Beyond Push-to-Talk, Current Nextel Direct Connect Capabilities Include Push-to-Send email, Contact Info or Pictures; Coming Launch of

New Phones Will Enable Additional Features

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2008--With Nextel Direct Connect, customers of Sprint (NYSE:S) have access to more than just the world's fastest and largest push-to-talk service and the only such service with international capabilities - they also have industry-leading "push-to-x" capabilities. Push-to-x features bring the convenience of "the button" to multiple Nextel Direct Connect applications, including push-to-send voice messages to any email address, with NextMail(SM), and push-to-send pictures or contact info with Direct Send(SM).

"Part of our 15 years of experience offering industry-leading Nextel Direct Connect has been offering innovative uses for 'the button' with push-to-x features," said John Garcia, chief marketing officer for Sprint. "Whether it's reviewing a picture while on a call or quickly sending full contact information, Nextel Direct Connect offers users even more ways to get things done instantly with the button."

"Instant communication is critical to customers who need to maximize their productivity in our fast-paced world, and Nextel Direct Connect has been providing that capability for years," said Nate Dyer, senior analyst at Yankee Group. "Sprint has taken that same 'instant' customer requirement and extended the simplicity and speed beyond voice calls to a range of other push-to-x capabilities."

Push-to-Email

With NextMail, customers can use the Nextel Direct Connect button to push-to-send voice messages to any email address. The NextMail service allows customers to select a recipient from their address book, push the Direct Connect button, speak to record the message and release the button to send the message to their recipient's email address. The recipient receives an email in their Inbox with a link they can click to listen to the message and respond back to the sender via text. NextMail is available for $7.50 per month.

Push-to-Picture

Customers can also use their Direct Connect button to send a picture to compatible phones, with Direct Send. Customers can send the picture while on a Direct Connect call, and the picture appears on both the sender's and recipient's phones simultaneously, so they can view and discuss in real time. Direct Send is the industry's only push-to-picture service that allows pictures to be sent while on a call, enabling a real estate agent to share a photo of a new listing with a client for immediate discussion or a construction worker to instantly send a picture to management to discuss the latest progress on the job site. Direct Send Picture is available on compatible phones for $0.25 per picture.

Push-to-Send Contact Information

Direct Send also allows customers to instantly send contact information at the push of a button. Customers can send their own contact information or the contact information of anyone in their address book - including email address, fax number, pager number and more - simply by selecting the desired contact from their address book and pushing the Direct Connect button. Sending contact information is available on compatible phones at no additional charge to Nextel Direct Connect subscribers.

Future Push-to-X

In addition to the current push-to-x features available on Nextel Direct Connect, new capabilities are expected as a result of the launch later this year of a new line of Nextel Direct Connect-capable phones with Sprint Mobile Broadband data capabilities. This expansion of Nextel Direct Connect is expected to ultimately deliver robust capabilities including new 'push-to-x' features, which could include push-to-text, push-to-locate, push-to-information and other enhanced features in the future, all designed to further extend the concept of one-touch communications.

Dawg · **OS:** 4.5.0.138

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdduck

This Verifies some of the info:

Beyond Push-to-Talk, Current Nextel Direct Connect Capabilities Include Push-to-Send email, Contact Info or Pictures; Coming Launch of

New Phones Will Enable Additional Features

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2008--With Nextel Direct Connect, customers of Sprint (NYSE:S) have access to more than just the world's fastest and largest push-to-talk service and the only such service with international capabilities - they also have industry-leading "push-to-x" capabilities. Push-to-x features bring the convenience of "the button" to multiple Nextel Direct Connect applications, including push-to-send voice messages to any email address, with NextMail(SM), and push-to-send pictures or contact info with Direct Send(SM).

"Part of our 15 years of experience offering industry-leading Nextel Direct Connect has been offering innovative uses for 'the button' with push-to-x features," said John Garcia, chief marketing officer for Sprint. "Whether it's reviewing a picture while on a call or quickly sending full contact information, Nextel Direct Connect offers users even more ways to get things done instantly with the button."

"Instant communication is critical to customers who need to maximize their productivity in our fast-paced world, and Nextel Direct Connect has been providing that capability for years," said Nate Dyer, senior analyst at Yankee Group. "Sprint has taken that same 'instant' customer requirement and extended the simplicity and speed beyond voice calls to a range of other push-to-x capabilities."

Push-to-Email

With NextMail, customers can use the Nextel Direct Connect button to push-to-send voice messages to any email address. The NextMail service allows customers to select a recipient from their address book, push the Direct Connect button, speak to record the message and release the button to send the message to their recipient's email address. The recipient receives an email in their Inbox with a link they can click to listen to the message and respond back to the sender via text. NextMail is available for $7.50 per month.

Push-to-Picture

Customers can also use their Direct Connect button to send a picture to compatible phones, with Direct Send. Customers can send the picture while on a Direct Connect call, and the picture appears on both the sender's and recipient's phones simultaneously, so they can view and discuss in real time. Direct Send is the industry's only push-to-picture service that allows pictures to be sent while on a call, enabling a real estate agent to share a photo of a new listing with a client for immediate discussion or a construction worker to instantly send a picture to management to discuss the latest progress on the job site. Direct Send Picture is available on compatible phones for $0.25 per picture.

Push-to-Send Contact Information

Direct Send also allows customers to instantly send contact information at the push of a button. Customers can send their own contact information or the contact information of anyone in their address book - including email address, fax number, pager number and more - simply by selecting the desired contact from their address book and pushing the Direct Connect button. Sending contact information is available on compatible phones at no additional charge to Nextel Direct Connect subscribers.

Future Push-to-X

In addition to the current push-to-x features available on Nextel Direct Connect, new capabilities are expected as a result of the launch later this year of a new line of Nextel Direct Connect-capable phones with Sprint Mobile Broadband data capabilities. This expansion of Nextel Direct Connect is expected to ultimately deliver robust capabilities including new 'push-to-x' features, which could include push-to-text, push-to-locate, push-to-information and other enhanced features in the future, all designed to further extend the concept of one-touch communications.

Didnt see Black berry mentioned anywhere in that press release so how does that confirm anything?

Grimlin · 02-21-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerCell

I'm not too confident iDEN will have a pulse come 4th quarter...

Funny. Our Nextel folks told us the Q4 thing as well and My response was really similar. Q4 is a long way away. Sprint doesn't care about iDEN and whoever is going to buy Sprint between now and Q4 really won't care about iDEN...

Imagine the SlingPlayer on that blazing 9.6kbps iDEN network

wdduck · 02-21-2008, 08:55 PM

OK OK....I am done I am only trying to pass on helpful info. I am done!!!

Grimlin · 02-21-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdduck

OK OK....I am done I am only trying to pass on helpful info. I am done!!!

The whole No Nextel devices has had about 200 of my users up in arms for over a year now. Sorry, but we have to laugh at it. It is either laughing or crying. If you stay here long enough, you'll develop a pretty thick skin. On the upside, at least Lunk never chimed in...

mbal1856 · 02-21-2008, 11:04 PM

If the new phones are true it figures. I work for a small company and we just dropped Nextel. Went over to AT&T. Ever since the Nextel Sprint merger the customer service has been horrible. Only reason we stayed with them is the PTT, and the durability of the phones. Talked to the ATT store and ended up getting a couple BBs for my boss and a bunch of free phones for my guys in the field. After using the ATT PTT on my BB8820 for the past week, I think it is better than the Nextel PTT. Paid a grand in early termination fees, but will get in back in a couple months in the lower bills from AT&T. On the plus side I got a BB out of it. First one!!

TroyDBrown · 02-21-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdduck

OK OK....I am done I am only trying to pass on helpful info. I am done!!!

No reason to be done. Your information is appreciated. We have many opinions here and mine also is on the side of the iDen network disappearing. If they pull it off there will be many happy Sprint/Nextel customers come 4th quarter. Anytime you post in a public forum you are going to get debate. So don't be done. Just understand when you post you are going to get a lot of questions.

DarthBBerry · 02-22-2008, 08:41 AM

I've been hearing the crap spewed from our Nextel rep for over 3 years about how the iDen network is going away and everything will be converted to Push-To-X over CDMA. First it was (be sure to say these in a big, blustery voice that sounds important) "by the 4Q of 2007" then it was "3Q 2008", and now "sometime in the 2010 to 2012 timeframe, my boy!"

Push-to-X
Q-Chat
iDen
Wi-Fi
Wi-MAX

Yeah right.

Sprint/Nextel can't give a straight answer about their own products.

wdduck · 02-22-2008, 05:39 PM

Darth
Are you fairly new to industry?? I started my career in this crazy beast 9 years ago and learned very fast that it is full of uncertainty and empty promises or even over promising. I have worked on the Corporate (Carrier) and Indirect (dealer) sides and both sides have it. We only go on the most current info we have and what is coming down from the top.

brokenchode · 02-22-2008, 05:49 PM

Wdduck-

What specs did they announce for the new Sprint BB Curve?

rescuejt · 02-22-2008, 08:38 PM

I have family at least for now that work for Sprint / NEXTEL originally Nextel the Homeland Security thing they will give up a portion of the IDEN Band but not enough to have any great affect. With the decline in market share primarily from the defection in NEXTEL unsatified customers and other issues one of the plans to revitalize the business is to regain NEXTEL users by suring up the Direct Connect portion of the business. Even if a sale which is possible would occur the only viable stable standard for direct conect to date is the one developed by motorola for nextel. Everybody tries to recreate it but so far nothing works quite like it did when it was maintained. So fixing the negelcted portion of the business would be smart by giving it a few much needed phones and turning back up some towers..........Liek the rest of you my two cents.

Micpip · 02-23-2008, 09:01 PM

I can back up some of what Wdduck said (not all because personal I haven't heard it all)....There is a lot of things Dan Hesse is doing with Sprint/Nextel.....They have realized that when Forsee push Nextel to the side was a huge mistake. They are now more committed than ever to the iDEN Network and getting through this merge. We will see new devices on both the iDEN and CDMA (EVDO Rev. A) side some being Qchat (or whatever they call it when it's official launched) and others being iDEN...look for a RAZR thin all iDEN unit very shortly also the CDMA Curve within a few months. Also Sprint customer service is Hesse number 1 concern and it will be fixed. Look at the changes already i880 now $99 bucks after rebate Pearl down to $129 the price of devices is coming down and HUGE drops in iDEN pricing. Hesse is the future of this company and has the full support of the Board of Directors.

Sith_Apprentice · 02-23-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micpip

I can back up some of what Wdduck said (not all because personal I haven't heard it all)....There is a lot of things Dan Hesse is doing with Sprint/Nextel.....They have realized that when Forsee push Nextel to the side was a huge mistake. They are now more committed than ever to the iDEN Network and getting through this merge. We will see new devices on both the iDEN and CDMA (EVDO Rev. A) side some being Qchat (or whatever they call it when it's official launched) and others being iDEN...look for a RAZR thin all iDEN unit very shortly also the CDMA Curve within a few months. Also Sprint customer service is Hesse number 1 concern and it will be fixed. Look at the changes already i880 now $99 bucks after rebate Pearl down to $129 the price of devices is coming down and HUGE drops in iDEN pricing. Hesse is the future of this company and has the full support of the Board of Directors.

he is the last hope for the company, of course the board will support him, they want to keep their jobs

the pearl price came down on both CDMA carriers, in fact with vzw, provided the situation is right, you can walk with a pearl for free, and then get $200 back from RIM.

Micpip · 02-23-2008, 09:15 PM

"he is the last hope for the company, of course the board will support him, they want to keep their jobs"

The board members select the CEO so whay would they be worried about there jobs if they support him or not??

Sith_Apprentice · 02-23-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micpip

"he is the last hope for the company, of course the board will support him, they want to keep their jobs"

The board members select the CEO so whay would they be worried about there jobs if they support him or not??

if they dont support him, he is gone, however they really need someone to stop the bleeding or they are just going to hemorrage customers until the company goes under or gets bought. they dont have the time or resources to go around picking CEOs and then firing them to just get another.

ezrunner · 02-23-2008, 09:37 PM

no doubt Sprint?nextel needs a leader and a focus. They seem lost and it is costing them business

netwiz01 · 02-23-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezrunner

no doubt Sprint?nextel needs a leader and a focus. They seem lost and it is costing them business

Things have never been the same since the merger. Nextel was a better company at least from an engineering persective.

BallHawk3 · 02-24-2008, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micpip

I can back up some of what Wdduck said (not all because personal I haven't heard it all)....There is a lot of things Dan Hesse is doing with Sprint/Nextel.....They have realized that when Forsee push Nextel to the side was a huge mistake. They are now more committed than ever to the iDEN Network and getting through this merge. We will see new devices on both the iDEN and CDMA (EVDO Rev. A) side some being Qchat (or whatever they call it when it's official launched) and others being iDEN...look for a RAZR thin all iDEN unit very shortly also the CDMA Curve within a few months. Also Sprint customer service is Hesse number 1 concern and it will be fixed. Look at the changes already i880 now $99 bucks after rebate Pearl down to $129 the price of devices is coming down and HUGE drops in iDEN pricing. Hesse is the future of this company and has the full support of the Board of Directors.

+1
I like the direction the new CEO is headed. He has the right idea. They were so obssessed with taking out the top carriers and gaining new customers, they forgot about their existing ones. I remember setting back in a end of month meeting like a year and a half ago, all they were talking about was, "we're already looking past the 2nd place carrier, now we're going after number one" and blah blah blah. Looks like its turned around, I guess losing all those customers has really scared them.

Dawg · **OS:** 4.5.0.138

Quote:

Originally Posted by BallHawk3

I guess losing all those customers has really scared them.

I would certainly hope it scared the hell out of them. They are the worst people on earth to deal with(next to comcast). They couldn't give me anything and lure me back. Service blew and so did customer service.

Tritan · 02-24-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micpip

I can back up some of what Wdduck said (not all because personal I haven't heard it all)....There is a lot of things Dan Hesse is doing with Sprint/Nextel.....They have realized that when Forsee push Nextel to the side was a huge mistake. They are now more committed than ever to the iDEN Network and getting through this merge. We will see new devices on both the iDEN and CDMA (EVDO Rev. A) side some being Qchat (or whatever they call it when it's official launched) and others being iDEN...look for a RAZR thin all iDEN unit very shortly also the CDMA Curve within a few months. Also Sprint customer service is Hesse number 1 concern and it will be fixed. Look at the changes already i880 now $99 bucks after rebate Pearl down to $129 the price of devices is coming down and HUGE drops in iDEN pricing. Hesse is the future of this company and has the full support of the Board of Directors.

so when will the data on blackberries be the same , 7100 to pearl both at 30.00 bucks? If its the same company then why the pricing difference if they are committed to both side equally. The pricing higher on iden is pushing the nextel people away to other carriers not pushing them to sprint!

Micpip · 02-24-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tritan

so when will the data on blackberries be the same , 7100 to pearl both at 30.00 bucks? If its the same company then why the pricing difference if they are committed to both side equally. The pricing higher on iden is pushing the nextel people away to other carriers not pushing them to sprint!

I can understand that, and think that should be something that Sprint/Nextel looks at...But Nextel is a business tool and that’s the customer they have always been after. The $30 pack doesn't include BES usage so that would be one reason I could see them not doing it. Also the $30 pack is aimed at the consumer with Pearl/Curve devices. The $9 a month difference is not all that much and I'm sure anyone who has it will tell you it’s worth it. Also the $30 packs includes unl txt, sprint TV, sprint music store, sprint nav. 2 of these things can’t be used on iDEN....It breaks down to not matter what, people will complain about the price...Call Sprint/Nextel and let them know you would go to a 7100i if the data pack was only $30 and see if they'll give you a 10% month discount to cover the $9 difference (your rate plan plus BB pack should be around $100/month)

Tritan · 02-24-2008, 05:18 PM

I don't understand why they would charge so much for the business users on nextel when the consumer devices pearl/curve are far superior to the I7100. Give the business user a device to right home about and the unadjusted price makes sense. Until then they lose customers to other carriers on the consumer devices alot of pearls and curves in the airports these days that are t-mobile or ATT.

jpm121 · 02-29-2008, 12:52 PM

The CEO confirmed this during an investor conference call.

Sprint Nextel Corporation Q4 2007 Earnings Call Transcript - Seeking Alpha

Quote:

Another important asset that Sprint owns is the iDEN network. We believe this asset can be utilized better than it is at present. The level of customer losses we have seen on iDEN is unacceptable. Push-to-talk is a genuine differentiator. The Nextel brand is synonymous with this capability, and iDEN has set the standard for the customer experience. Push-to-talk, which is evolving into pushtoX, must be sub-second or it's second rate.

We think the button is so powerful that we're going to launch it on our CDMA platform as well as this year. Customers will get sub-second push-to-talk connections on either CDMA or on iDEN as well as between our CDMA and our iDEN networks.

We are reinvigorating Nextel Direct Connect with new handsets from Motorola and later this year we'll introduce the first ever iDEN WiFi BlackBerry, which will feature push-to-talk, a QWERTY keypad and contemporary industrial design.

And our iDEN network is performing at best-ever levels in terms of dropped calls and voice quality.

Dawg · **OS:** 4.5.0.138

But they did lie about one thing

And our iDEN network is performing at best-ever levels in terms of dropped calls and voice quality.

I still get complaints daily about dropped calls.