Both handsets have been designed with a focus on durability in order to meet the needs of customers in industrial sectors such as construction and public safety. In addition, both models offer non-slip rubber grips, and adhere to Military Standards 810 C/D/E for resistance to dust, shock and vibration, for additional protection in harsh working environments.

These two new handsets also feature the same invaluable integrated services available in all phones that run on the Nextel network. These services include: digital cellular service, Nextel Direct Connect(R) - the incredibly powerful long-range walkie-talkie that allows for communication at the touch of one button; Nextel Online(R) Web; email; and text messaging services.

In addition to its rugged design and form, the Motorola i58sr is Nextel's smallest full-featured Java enabled rugged phone, allowing Nextel subscribers to take advantage of 100's of available software downloads accessible at www.nextel.com/idenupdate.

As part of Nextel's ongoing effort to provide customers with GPS-enabled phones, the i58sr is also outfitted with a GPS internal antenna, GPS functionality to provide the user's latitude and longitude information, as well as support for future location based Java and WAP applications to support features such as compass, speed, navigation points, and distance.

"The industrial customer segment has long been an important contributor to the success of Nextel," said Daryl Newman, vice president, general business, Nextel. "The two latest additions to this line are designed to better meet Nextel subscriber needs by providing enhanced features and services without sacrificing the durability attributes they have come to expect from the Nextel line."

"The Motorola i35s and i58sr are proof that Motorola works diligently to ensure that there is a handset available to meet the needs of any consumer," said Peter Aloumanis, vice president and general manager of U.S. markets division iDEN(R) Subscriber Group, Motorola. "Additionally, these two new handsets provide an enhanced level of durability, making them the ideal communications solution for the daily challenges of a work environment."

The i58sr also offers users a built-in speakerphone for hands-free conversations, a 250-entry phonebook, date book, VibraCall(R) alert and a SIM card for easy transfer of information between Nextel phones designed by Motorola.

For individuals requiring a moderately priced, entry-level durable phone alternative, the i35s offers extended battery life, a 250-entry phonebook, VibraCall alert and a SIM card for easy transfer of information between Nextel phones.

The Motorola i35s is available immediately for a promotional price of $89.99 and model i58sr is expected to be available nationwide in January 2003 on the Web at www.nextel.com. Prior to January 2003, the Motorola i58sr is being offered at the promotional price of $179.99 for enterprise customers.

With the global positioning antenna integrated into the i58sr, 911 centers equipped with processing information can quickly locate the caller. This is one of the latest efforts in making a mobile 911 call almost the same as calling from a land-line.