Nextel confirms 1X deployment

Las Vegas--Nextel Communications, provider of integrated cellular and two-way radio services, told a CTIA audience today of its intention to deploy CDMA-based 1XRTT services as its third-generation migration strategy from integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) technology.

"1XRTT is our migration strategy," said Greg Santos, vice president of Internet & Wireless Services with Nextel, during a session about the wireless Internet. "We'll continue to support iDEN, but we'll create an overlay network for services through 1X."

Santos' statement ended months of industry speculation. Industry experts had been questioning whether Nextel would migrate toward GPRS and W-CDMA systems since iDEN is a technology closely related to GSM. Analysts note that 1X is a spectrally efficient technology ideal for the spectrum constraints Nextel is facing nationwide. The company pulled out of the re-auction of C- and F-block PCS spectrum in December.