OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 30, 2008–Millions of Sprint (NYSE:S) customers find significant advantages to using Nextel Direct Connect(R), the world’s largest and fastest push-to-talk service and the only such service with international capabilities.

With more than 90 billion push-to-talk connections completed in 2007, it is an ideal solution for businesses and first responders who need to communicate instantly as well as families and friends who want to stay connected.

“Nextel Direct Connect provides a differentiated experience for our customers,” said Dan Hesse, president and CEO, Sprint Nextel. “The Nextel National Network (iDEN) is key to delivering Nextel Direct Connect. Sprint has invested significantly during the past two years and the network is performing at best-ever levels. Customers can expect to see continued investment and the introduction of new handsets to utilize the network’s unique capabilities.”

Sprint will also focus on enhancing Nextel Direct Connect in 2008, including aggressively marketing Nextel Direct Connect and expanding features and functionality including combining Direct Connect with Sprint Mobile Broadband data capabilities. These efforts are expected to ultimately deliver robust capabilities such as ‘push-to-x’ which can include push to instantly send a text message or send an image, push-to-information and other enhanced features in the future.

Sprint’s wide variety of Direct Connect services include one-to-one capabilities that help customers communicate to make personal or business decisions quickly, boost productivity and save time and money. Also, the unique one-to-many capability of Group Connect(R) helps businesses quickly communicate the same message to multiple employees, as well as partners and vendors. More advanced services on Nextel phones allow customers to send a voice message to any email address using Nextmail(R), and share contact information and send pictures with the Direct Send(SM) feature.