S: Sprint 'Powers Up' Metro Atlanta Coverage, Capacity to Its Wireless Networks with a Nearly $52 Million Investment

Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) today announced improvements to both the Sprint PCS Nationwide Network and Nextel National Network(sm) in the Atlanta area with an investment of nearly $52 million through the third quarter of 2006. These extensive upgrades are the result of additional wireless cell sites and equipment being added to the networks, delivering additional coverage and network capacity to serve its customers.


"Providing an excellent customer experience is Sprint's number one priority in Atlanta and wherever we offer our wide range of wireless phones, plans and features," said Jeff Bennett, area vice president for Sprint Nextel. "We strive to make our wireless service the best where our customers live, work and travel."

In the state of Georgia, Sprint has invested nearly $61 million, including almost $52 million in metro Atlanta, in its wireless networks this year. Sprint plans to invest $7 billion in its wireless and wireline networks nationwide in 2006.

The following is a detailed list of the local areas benefiting by these enhancements to the Sprint PCS Network:
Forsyth County on Heardville Road, north to Hurt Bridge Road and south to Canton Highway
Paulding County on Phillips Lee Road and along US 278 and Harmony Church Road
Paulding County along Cartersville Highway, Old Dallas Road and east to Cedar Crest Road
Douglas County on Goldworth Road, north to I-20 and south to Bay Springs Road


The following is a detailed list of the areas improved by these enhancements to the Nextel Network:
College Park along Highway 29 and Old National Highway
DeKalb County at Northlake Mall and the surrounding area along Briarcliff Road
Cobb County at East-West Connector and Power Springs Road, including Cobb General Hospital
Town Center Mall and surrounding areas along I-75 and Barrett Pkwy.
South of Douglasville and I-20 at Kings Highway and Bill Arp Road in Douglas County
Southeast of Newnan in Coweta County along Highway 16 and the Summer Grove development
Southwest of Fayetteville along Highways 54 and 85 in Coweta County
Rockdale County along I-20 and Highway 20 in Conyers

Nextel National Network
The Nextel National Network, one of the largest all-digital wireless networks in the United States, is based on the integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN) always-on technology, which provides the world's fastest and most efficient walkie-talkie service. More people use the Nextel National Network for walkie-talkie calls than any other such service in the world. In 2005, the Nextel Network carried more than 100 billion direct connect calls.

Sprint Expands the Sprint Power Vision Network
Sprint offers the most wireless broadband coverage of any carrier through its Power Vision(sm) Network (EV-DO), which reaches 168 million people nationwide, covering over 219 communities with at least a 100,000 population as well as 486 airports nationwide. The Power Vision network allows users to access audio, video and data applications with handheld and connection card devices.

Power Network Coverage Tool Provides Unique View
In October, Sprint launched its Power Network Coverage Tool to help customers view detailed coverage maps down to the street address level. By entering an address or zip code, customers can see the availability of wireless coverage and the network signal strength on the Nextel National Network(sm), Nationwide Sprint PCS Network or Sprint Power Vision Network. Customers can also view the location of recently added cell sites in many areas. The tool, available at www.sprint.com/coverage and at self-service touch-screen kiosks at hundreds of Sprint Nextel retail stores, is simple to use and helps set network coverage expectations for customers before signing up for wireless service.