Nextel Broadens Reach Into Consumer Market

Nextel Communications, which has spent years focusing on business users, last week launched a mobile Web service that mirrors those offered by other carriers in the consumer market. The company’s mobile phones have been outfitted with a mini-browser that allows customers to view specially formatted news and other information from the Web. The new Nextel Online service costs an extra $19.95 a month and includes content from MSN Mobile, shopping, text paging and browsing on wireless-compatible Web sites. Now Nextel’s all-in-one devices can make phone calls, handle numeric and text messages, make two-way radio connections between individuals or groups and surf the Internet. Nextel’s move to add Web access is aimed at positioning the company for the looming market battle among nationwide carriers AT&T; Wireless, Verizon, Sprint PCS and others.