Following the Sprint merger , customers reported a sharp decline in support quality and helpfulness.
Data capabilities were described as slower than 1990s dial-up internet.
By the late 2000s, reviews became increasingly negative as the merger with Sprint caused service integration issues:
Primarily served business and field workers (construction, police, transport) due to its durable phones and efficient team-wide communication.
Handsets like the Motorola i605 were praised for being "rugged" and "shockproof".
Used the iDEN network , which was excellent for voice and PTT but struggled significantly with data speeds, becoming obsolete as the smartphone era began. Historical Reviews (Sprint-Nextel Era)
Its most iconic feature was the signature beep sound (or "chirp") that preceded instant communication at the push of a button.
Nextel as a carrier no longer exists for general consumers, but its legacy lives on: When Phones Were Fun: NEXTEL