More Wireless: Nextel Communications is throwing its...

More Wireless: Nextel Communications is throwing its hat into the digital wireless ring today when it rolls out its new cellular service in Southern California.

The McLean, Va.-based company is bringing its digital mobile network to Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, where it has offered traditional analog service for several years. The new service will be aimed at businesses, especially those whose workers are spread out around the Southland.

Nextel’s digital offering includes a unique feature called Direct Connect, which allows groups of Nextel customers to use their phones as sophisticated two-way radios for mobile teleconferences. Because those conversations are conducted entirely on Nextel’s wireless system--and never touch down on the local phone network--there are no access charges, which can account for a significant portion of the cost of a cellular call.

Nextel’s new PowerFones, developed in conjunction with Motorola, also have a text screen that can display pages and voicemail messages. The company hopes to reach 85% of the country with its digital services by the end of 1998--a task that will cost $4 billion to $5 billion.