Nextel takes push e-mail to Java

Nextel became the latest carrier to add push e-mail to business services portfolio, but it managed to one-up its competitors, using Visto's ConstantSync platform to extend the Blackberry-like service to Java-based devices.

While many carriers have launched push e-mail applications, most of them are limited to a few devices, usually wireless PDAs, smartphones or Research In Motion's range of Blackberry messaging devices. Verizon Wireless's launch of Intellisync's push e-mail platform last week is only available over a single handset, the pricey Treo 650. By launching over Java, however, Nextel is making the service available to a broad range of mid-tier Motorola devices--basically any data-enabled phone.

"Nextel has opened up mobile e-mail to a broad market with this new product," Visto CEO and chairman Brian Bogosian said in a statement. "[It] makes full-featured e-mail available to every customer that wants improved productivity."

Nextel will be offering the service in plans ranging from $15 to $30 a month, ranging from 2 MB of data access to unlimited usage as well as MMS bundles. Initially offered on three handsets, Nextel said it would extend the service to all Java-enabled handsets as they are released.

Visto this week also announced a similar deal with French carrier SFR to power its Business Mail service.