will blackberry release more nextel phones?

[Old_Mil]

So I emailed boost about this and basically got a response that said all boost iDen customers can switch to boost cdma without losing shrinkage credit with no information about how the network was going to be shut down, or when. It may be that sprint hasn't figured that out yet.

However, as of right now you can buy and activate nextel phones on the sprint website. If you figure that a two year contract will run from the date the last nextel phone is sold, that network should be up and running until at least October 2013 given where we are right now (unless sprint wants to give every contracted nextel user a free CDMA replacement phone). I would expect the last nextel phone to be sold in December 2011 to take advantage of the Christmas shopping season and to let diehard nextel subscribers get a new one and then the shutdown to occur in December 2013.

Not how I would have handled it if i was a sprint exec because you have to figure that revenue generated by the network will drop over the two year period after the last iDen sale as older iDen phones fail and are replaced by either CDMA sprint or gsm on other carriers...but it is good for us boost iden folks.

[scottydl]

^^ Great info, thanks for sharing! I'm interested in hearing what makes/models of CDMA phones may be good to use with Boost on the Sprint network eventually. Preferably those that can be bought in good used condition. My two 8350i's I bought for $100 and $45

Originally Posted by Old_Mil

no information about how the network was going to be shut down, or when. It may be that sprint hasn't figured that out yet.

I suspect that is the case... they will be continually evaluating the Nextel customer base and how much money the iDen side is making up until a possible shutdown point.

P.S. I've been buying Boost credit at Callingmart.com ... $50 refills are $47 + change (instant refill, no tax) with their built in discount and an additional coupon code that I Google for each month (I don't remember it off the top of my head). I get nothing from sharing that, just passing on the info. It's the best deal I've found lately, as there don't seem to be many Boost cards on eBay these days.

[Old_Mil]

I would probably recommend the CDMA blackberry 8530 or one of the two android os samsung phones as the replacement device for 8350i users...

[figueroaw]

I do not think sprint will be willing to lose iden customer. I think with the new EDVO Rev A. push to talk will still going for sometime. Don't be surprise if Boost adopt the EDVO as well

[Old_Mil]

Originally Posted by figueroaw

I do not think sprint will be willing to lose iden customer. I think with the new EDVO Rev A. push to talk will still going for sometime. Don't be surprise if Boost adopt the EDVO as well

Sprint has said that they are going to continue to offer PTT service - but this will be on their CDMA network. In fact, they just rolled out the first PTT CDMA handset so for die hard PTT customers, there will be an upgrade path.

I just don't expect to see that PTT feature offered on Boost. It's primarily of interest to corporate customers with special needs, and I think Sprint figures that it can probably continue to keep these subscribers on its more expensive contract plans.

But the unanimous sentiment is that the iden network is done in 2013.

[tonoelectro]

For us people that live in border-towns (San Diego-Tijuana, Canada-US, etc) Nextel is a great choice, if not the ONLY one. We commute everyday back and forth from US to Mexico, Canada to US, and thanks to Nextel, we keep only 1 phone in our hand, we pay only 1 rate and we don't worry about roaming charges and network switching. All while resting assured that our PTT calls, emails and little internet browsing will work as if we were in the States. BASICALLY AN INTERNATIONAL PHONE. The only downside is the obviously SLOW data.

Well yes, iDen network will come to an end. But the only question I have is, what will happen to us Border-Town people? We don't live just in the States or Canada or Mexico. Currently "Sprint Direct Connect" doesn't work outside US. They plan to expand it early 2012. But who know how it will work.

I want a SmartPhone that I can actually use. I want a new Blackberry with PPT that upgrades my ancient 8350i. A new PTT phone with faster data speeds like the Motorola Admiral but works in Mexico like my 8350i does. I need it now SPRINT! NOW! not in "early 2012"

[raiseyanks10]

I just don't understand why cant they just tell us if they are coming out with a new Blackberry to replace the 8350i. That would make life easier. That way we don't go buy something or some kind of device that we really don't want. Can't some kind of a program or something be made to transform a Blackberry into a direct connect? Like the 9330 that already has the buttons on both sides. New 8350i "NO
W", not LATER.

[figma]

Same problem here , Admiral doesn't work in Tijuana

Originally Posted by tonoelectro

For us people that live in border-towns (San Diego-Tijuana, Canada-US, etc) Nextel is a great choice, if not the ONLY one. We commute everyday back and forth from US to Mexico, Canada to US, and thanks to Nextel, we keep only 1 phone in our hand, we pay only 1 rate and we don't worry about roaming charges and network switching. All while resting assured that our PTT calls, emails and little internet browsing will work as if we were in the States. BASICALLY AN INTERNATIONAL PHONE. The only downside is the obviously SLOW data.

Well yes, iDen network will come to an end. But the only question I have is, what will happen to us Border-Town people? We don't live just in the States or Canada or Mexico. Currently "Sprint Direct Connect" doesn't work outside US. They plan to expand it early 2012. But who know how it will work.

I want a SmartPhone that I can actually use. I want a new Blackberry with PPT that upgrades my ancient 8350i. A new PTT phone with faster data speeds like the Motorola Admiral but works in Mexico like my 8350i does. I need it now SPRINT! NOW! not in "early 2012"