Nextel BlackBerry Service
Editorial Rating
Overview:Sprint bought Nextel in 2005, combining its native CDMA network with Nextel's iDEN. Since its inception Nextel has been known for its push-to-talk walkie-talkie service. Pros:Nextel uses the same pricing tiers as Sprint, which include the Simply Everything plan, which provides unlimited voice, messaging, data, and other services for 99 dollars per month. Cons:There are not many BlackBerry models available for service on Nextel's iDEN network. Detailed Provider Information:Voice Plan Options: Nextel's top-tier plans are the same as Sprint's Simply Everything and Everything plans. The Simply Everything plan includes unlimited voice minutes for $99.99 per month, while the Everything plan offers 450 minutes for $69.99 per month and 900 minutes for $89.99. Their Business Essentials plan offers a number of service levels, from $39.99 for 400 minutes to $199.99 for 4,000 minutes. All of the above-mentioned plans include unlimited Direct Connect walkie-talkie service. The Everything and Simply Everything plans also have family options. The Simply Everything family plan offers two lines for $189.98 per month, and is $89.99 for each additional line. The Everything family plan offers 1,500 minutes for $129.99 and 3,000 minutes for $169.99.Data Options: Unlimited data is included with the Everything, Simply Everything, and Business Essentials with Messaging and Data plans. BES data costs an additional 20 dollars per month. Messaging Options: Nextel includes unlimited messaging with Everything, Simply Everything, and Business Essentials with Messaging and Data plans. Customer Service: Like Sprint, Nextel offers customer support via a toll-free number, a frequently-asked-questions section of the website, and live chat. Contract: New purchases require a two-year contract, which can incur an early termination fee of up to $200. International Calling and Messaging: International roaming is available as an add-on service, which must be activated by calling customer service. Roaming Charges: Some services, including data, may not function while roaming. Activation Fee: There is no fee to activate a Nextel BlackBerry via the company website. Additional Features: Directory assistance is $1.79 per call plus normal airtime charges. Call forwarding costs 20 cents per minute. Insurance: Nextel offers a Total Equipment Protection plan for 7 dollars per month.  Phones: Nextel has a very limited selection of BlackBerry devices. They recently added the BlackBerry Curve 8350i, its first new model in a number of years. Some Additional BlackBerry Models Available: BlackBerry Curve 8350i BlackBerry Curve 8350i w/o camera BlackBerry Curve 8330 BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Coverage Map: The Nextel coverage map can be found here. |
I have been having issues with the blackberry 8350i from nextel and going to be getting my 4th blackberry in a month and half because they cannot figure out why my phone keeps losing service to everything from text,direct connet and phone service period!!!!!! I am soooo fed up with them that i am seriously thinking of dropping the direct connect to get a phone that excautly works for a change!!!!!:(
Nice phone with all the services I need and use especially email access. The only thing I don't like is the NOW network is slow and I lose calls and have bad reception in too many places. I switched from a CDMA renegade V950 and made a bad choice as I should have bought the Blackberry that uses CDMA and just dropped the direct connect as D/C is not worth the low speed and lost calls.
I've been a loyal Nextel user for over 10 yrs. I really like the 8350i. I wish that it was able to stream video and be used for tethering a laptop. The 8350i is very easy to use and whether or not you are a power user or a novice, it does it all.