US DoD buying Sprint Nextel's iDEN network

Moto must be stoked on this one: after Sprint was slated to wipe Nextel's iDEN network from the face of the planet, PCS Intel has it that the United States Department of Defense will come in and scoop up the infrastructure outright for a national encrypted iDEN network for government communications — one separate from civilian cellphone networks. For those of you still worried about your service and/or Push-To-Talk, have no fear, we understand Sprint intends to roll out dual-mode CDMA/iDEN handsets for use in the years during the changeover, and they've already got limited support for Sprint PCS Ready Link (their CDMA PTT service). So yes, it looks like iDEN will live to see another day — but eventually you'll just have to be on the government payroll to use it.

[Thanks, CoreyTheGent]

[gorkon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This is sad. I kind of figured this is what would happen. I am not a huge fan of Nextel handsets, however I have NO issue with iDEN. The features iDEN gives you with PTT is wonderful. Group talk, push to talk....Nextel did it all before Sprint OR Verizon and are still the best at PTT Cellular.

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

"Please hold, while the emergency responder you are trying to reach, is located."

...aarrgggh!

[Camp @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

RE #1:

I will agree with that. I do not use a Nextel phone for my personal phone, but I have to use one for work. If I had to pick up the phone and call someone everytime I needed something, I would never get anything done. There are certain environments where PTT and Group Talk really excels, and iDEN makes it happen.

[Guinnis @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I think its great the gov is going to pickup this network. It will provide more efficient communication in disaster areas.

[Ethan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This explains things then. I was at Edwards Airforce Base last weekend for their air-show and all the MP's had IDEN phones on. All CDMA and GSM phones would not work in the middle of the desert, but the military had IDEN cells everywhere and the MP's were using them like walkie talkies just fine.

[Frank Bruno @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

So... remind me again: If they're ditching the iDEN network, why the heck did Sprint buy Nextel? Just to get the corporate customer base and the nifty yellow-and-black color scheme?

[Pacey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

And eliminate a competitor in the market, Frank.

[Flyguy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Edwards Air Force base uses Nextel iDen for a different reason. Edwards is much different from most bases their main misson is flight test. Flight test requires telemetry from the aircraft. Nextel's network operated at 900Mhz which nowhere near the telemetry frequincies. Other cellular technologies are very close in frequincy... Nextels network offers the least possibility for interferance with the mission at Edwards...

[todd kennedy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This is a inaccurate statement. iDEN networks also are run by companies like SouthernLINC which are entirely separate from Nextel's iDEN network.

If the US gov't buys Nextel's iDEN network, you can sitll use SouthernLINC (although you might not get your roaming anymore.)

Plus iDEN is deployed in Mexico, Brazil, (most of latin american acutally) by Nextel International, and in Canada by Telus.

[falcom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

so....does this mean no more gay boost mobile commercials?

[ItsAllVerbatim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

All I know is it's gonna break down like this:

1) My personal phone, GSM, Cingular (model, who knows by then)

2) My iDen phone issued by work. With unlimited minutes.

Sweetness.

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

hell i hope the DOD dus grab this from them the dod started his PTT and the WPS so i think the dod should have control over this network and allow for non dod people to use it as well just more money to the dod :)

[Thomas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

It's about time something was done about that annoying iDEN sound. I was getting tired of people mistaking the true use of a cell phone. No mroe loud beeps everywhere I go! :D