RESTON, Va. -- Nextel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTL) announced that it has filed suit in federal court in New York seeking damages and an injunction prohibiting the continued false and unsubstantiated advertising campaign claims by Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless has falsely claimed that its walkie-talkie service is available on the best, most reliable network. The advertising is in direct violation of federal and state of New York advertising laws.

"It's unseemly that Verizon Wireless would knowingly choose deception over the truth," said Nextel Senior Vice President and General Counsel Len Kennedy. "Nextel's Push To Talk(TM) service is widely acknowledged to be a superior product that provides a better and more reliable service with faster and instant connections than does Verizon Wireless' recently launched walkie talkie product. We are asking the Court to stop Verizon Wireless from its false advertising campaign. It's an affront to consumers, and it's a sad day for an industry that has worked hard to earn and maintain the public's trust."

"We will work through the courts to put an immediate stop to this unfortunate conduct," said Kennedy. "I trust they will find it as disappointing as we do that Verizon Wireless would intentionally attempt to mislead the marketplace, rather than compete fairly and honestly."

Nextel Communications Inc.

Verizon Wireless