Converted to Nextel. Chirp.

[feren]

Last night I dropped by my local Sprint/Nextel store. I've been using a Samsung A900 (aka the "Blade") for my personal cellular service over the last year and it's served me pretty well. However, there was some things about it I didn't like -- I don't generally need or use the camera that's built into the phone (and it can be a pain in protected areas that confescate any camera phones) though it has come in handy in the past. It's a solidly built phone with a metal exterior but I've still managed to scratch it up fairly well. The media features are okay-ish but I don't use them (Seriously, I have an iPod... I don't need MP3s on my phone as well). All told I was happy but wanted something better or, at least, different.

Sprint/Nextel recently announced the general availability of their Motorola ic502 hybrid phone (aka the "Buzz") that accesses the Sprint CDMA network for voice and accesses Nextel's iDEN network for walkie-talkie. When I heard it was out to the general market I had to look into it. Back in 1999 I was hooked on Nextel when I came to the corporate office of $EMPLOYER and everyone in the IT department carried the i1000 Nextel phone. The walki-talkie feature was exceedingly handy, the phone was solidly built and while the service area lacked in some regions (it was still being built out) I had unshakable coverage in Chicago and the suburbs I work and live in. When I took a look at the ic502 I decided to go ahead and purchase it.

I have to say, thus far, I'm liking this rugged little thing. And despite costing more than a few dollars to carry it out the door I think it was money that well-spent. Just by converting from my old plan to the new Nextel plan I'm actually gaining "anytime" minutes and cutting the cost of my monthly bill by $20/month.

My personal cell number was ported over to the new phone, so if you know my cellular number don't worry... it hasn't changed.

If you have a Nextel phone (I know some of you out there on my friends list use them for service) please drop me a line and let me know what your walkie-talkie ID is so I can program it in. Alternatively you can just leave a note asking me for my ID and I'll be sure to share it with you.

Comments

[loboguara.livejournal.com]

I'd kept the Blade because it's just so darned sleek and thin, and I'd gotten a fitted hardshell case for it for "daily use". That thin black metal thing still looks like it belongs paired with a PPK and a nice suit. :)

Only thing I don't like is the short battery life. Someone said there's an Extended battery for it, now.

[roho.livejournal.com]

don't generally need or use the camera that's built into the phone

LIES!

How many pictures of Marcus do you have on that thing? ;)

[takaza.livejournal.com]

So, I am guessing this is partially my fault then, eh?

[feren.livejournal.com]

Not really, no. This has been an ongoing thing for me where I've been wavering back and forth.

[nius.livejournal.com]

I loved my Nextel service, when I had it. When I moved out into the woods with no Nextel coverage, I had to drop the service, but for the 5 years I used it it was excellent. I'm hoping to get that new phone in our region, as our field crews here at the office are using nextel for walkie-talkie, and a roaming agreement is now in place for Sprint out in my neck of the woods. Unfortunately, it only does 1.9GHz CDMA, and a lot of the coverage here in the boonies is still 800-900MHz.

[frostyw.livejournal.com]

I thought sometime soon Nextel's frequencies were being given to the government, such that all Nextel subscribers would end up on Sprint's CDMA network. I'm guessing that's not in the immediate future, then.