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Netscape, Nextel link up
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February 8, 1999: 9:07 a.m. ET
Firms to unveil 'Nextel Online' to link cell phones with Net services
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Nextel Communications Inc. and Netscape Communications Corp. are hooking up with other companies to offer a wireless Internet package.
"Nextel Online" will enable Nextel (NXTL) customers to use their digital telephones to access a personalized Internet gateway, send and receive e-mail, and browse the Web, the companies said Monday.
Unwired Planet Inc., a mobile microbrowser technology firm, and Motorola Inc. (MOT), which is making the phones, are joining Nextel and Netscape (NSCP) in the deal.
"The introduction of these wireless Internet computing services complements the power of our unique digital two-way feature -- Nextel Direct Connect -- by enabling mobile users to send and receive information in real time and update time sensitive mission critical business information," Dan Akerson, Nextel's chairman and CEO, said.
Netscape has designed the portal, which will offer stock quotes, weather and business headlines and other tailored services. Nextel's digital-wireless network will serve as the pipeline.
The portal can be tailored to fit the needs of its mobile business customers, who also will be able to use their phones as a wireless modem to connect to a laptop or hand held computer, providing wireless Internet access.
The personalized portal will be available during the second quarter and the phones will be available in the third quarter. The wireless data services will be rolled out in six cities -- Washington DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Greensboro, N.C., and Atlanta--during the fourth quarter, with national distribution scheduled in the first quarter of 2000.
Dataquest predicts that revenue for wireless-data services will grow from $460 million in 1999 to $3 billion in 2003.
Netscape shares closed down 1-1/4 Friday at 69-7/16. Nextel was down 17/32 at 30-9/32. Motorola was down 1-5/8 at 7/16. 
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