Sprint Nextel

• Average user rating:
  3.0
  stars out of 365 reviews
• See all user reviews

Product summary

CNET editors' take

• Reviewed by:
  Kent German
• Reviewed on: 02/15/2007
• Updated on: 06/16/2009

Editors' note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section. The more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level. For more carrier information, please see CNET's Quick Guide.

Once the oddest of odd couples, Sprint and Nextel are now married after a 2005 merger. The combined company is now the third largest wireless carrier and the second largest CDMA carrier in the United States. The company is retaining separate Sprint and Nextel brands for the time being. Sprint began wireless service under its brand in 1995, and Nextel was founded in 1987.

Things you should know:

• This carrier offers an unlimited calling plan.
• Sprint was the second major carrier to offer a 3G (EV-DO) network. However, coverage is limited to urban areas.
• Nextel phones offer a strong set of business-friendly features, including adding a second line to a handset. Also, the carrier pioneered push-to-talk technology with its Direct Connect (now called Walkie-Talkie) service.
• Among the major carriers, Sprint is the sole provider of Sanyo phones. Its handset lineup also includes a fair number of Samsung and LG handsets with a varied selection of smartphones.
• Sprint's Power Pack plans have extended night and weekend hours. Nextel offers plans with unlimited incoming calls.
• Sprint's CDMA network and Nextel's iDEN network are distinct technologies that use separate networks with different coverage areas.
• International CDMA and iDEN coverage has a smaller footprint than GSM, though the carrier now offers dual-mode CDMA/GSM handsets and a dualmode iDEN/GSM device.

Fast facts:

• Subscribers: 50.5 million
• Coverage: Sprint has CDMA coverage in every state, but coverage in Alaska is limited to analog roaming only. Nextel's iDEN network has coverage in every state except Alaska and Montana. As with all carriers, individual coverage will vary by location. For international coverage CDMA roaming is available in 26 countries while Nextel iDEN roaming is available in 11 countries.
• Technology: CDMA, 1xRTT, iDEN
• 3G network: Yes, EV-DO
• Streaming video service: Yes, Sprint Power Vision
• Music download service: Yes, Sprint Music Store
• Push-to-talk: Available, depending on phone model
• Prepay plans: No
• Family plans: Yes

See more CNET content tagged:

Nextel Communications Inc.,

Sprint Nextel,

CDMA,

coverage,

push-to-talk

User reviews

• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 365 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 3 of 365 user reviewsSee all 365 user reviews

• 5.0 stars

  15 out of 20 people found this review helpful

  "Better then all use I have tried."

  by slugithome1977 on February 16, 2007

  read more

• 5.0 stars

  14 out of 18 people found this review helpful

  "I love Sprint because I like Verizon & Alltel"

  by MEGAmanJILL on February 24, 2007

  read more

• 1.5 stars

  14 out of 20 people found this review helpful

  "Customer care a misnomer"

  by rmharp on February 24, 2007

  read more

• See all 365 user reviews Write review

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Where to buy Sprint Nextel

Please see CNET's Cell phone plan finder to purchase a phone with Sprint Nextel service.