I hope so. I really want to try the Bluetooth in the TL, but I have to have Nextel for work, and I do NOT want a Blackberry!

 

Well..
1. if they merge it will be a while before it is complete and the FCC approves it
2. they use completely different technology so you probably won't see a wave of cool phones (or even not cool phones with BT) - sprint is CDMA and nextel uses IDEN, you cant interchange phones of course....
3. 1st qtr 2005 the i605 will be released which is a candy bar style phone with bluetooth

I ended up switching from nextel because the coverage sucks, i never really used DC so it wasnt important, and i wanted a BT phone.....
the only reason i had nextel was for the unlim anytime min for $115 a month. Now you can get unlim mins with almost any carrier for less than 100 a month

 

There goal after a while is to Fade out iDen and use CDMA I believe

 

IMO (no facts to back this up) it is not possible to do that. Think about all the iden phones that are out there - they would all have to be replaced. It would cost a fortune. Also, with the direct connect - sure sprint has tehir version, but it is not as fast as nextels - although, I am sure after more R&D time it will be almost instant like nextels service is....

I just do not see the phasing out of iden anytime soon. Perhaps after SEVERAL years? Think about all these companies - and then with CDMA they would somehow be forced to switch to using seperate DC # format 938*98398*998* (whatever the format is, i dont remember exactly) - all these companies will not be willing to lose their DC numbers...

 

Sprint sucks! I hope they don't merge!

 

lol. Yes, Sprint sucks in some areas - but in others they are awesome. If they merge, trust me, it will only do good for both sprint and nextel. There will be more spectrum to share - allowing for increased bandwidth. More data based applications (high speed internet), better call clarity, more coverage will all be good, needed, improvements for nextel customers.

I was reading that there is a gateway that was developed by Moto which will allow DC to work between sprint and nextel phones - so if they were to get it to work, and implement it - better for us.

 

FYI-THey did merge and nextel is switching to CDMA -- deal isnt closing till second half 2005 --the i605 although it isnt flip it is my only hope as the blackberry is equivalent to clipping a laptop to your belt

 

Where did you read that they will switch to CDMA?

 

Oh, and also, the FCC still has to approve it before it can be considered merged

 

i read it on nextels website, straight from the source

 

Nice Points to you.... I doubt it will be done anytime soon though - aside from the time factor, they would force everybody to get new phones?