Nextel Communications Inc. says it isn’t anxious to jump into another relationship or alliance, and has money enough of its own until 1997.
“In the aftermath of a broken engagement, we don’t want to operate too much on the rebound. We’re not rushing, but are systematically looking around,” said Nextel Chairman Morgan O’Brien at a news conference inaugurating the commercial rollout of fully digital services in Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacramento.
On Aug. 29, MCI Communications Corp. put the brakes on $1.3 billion investment plans to build an alliance with Nextel and Comcast Corp.
In previous press conferences and conference calls, Nextel leaders have maintained that MCI’s decision doesn’t signal Nextel’s demise.
Nextel President Brian McAuley reiterated his belief in Nextel’s continuing strength. “About MCI, you shouldn’t focus on finances because that wasn’t driving it. We have $2.1 billion worth of capital without them. We’re fine on a capital basis through 1996. Right now that’s not our focus. Besides, we already have a strong alliance of strategic partners, so we’re not out frantically looking at this point,” McAuley said.
Now that Nextel is no longer obligated to MCI, the company is free to resume conversations with others, he added. “Really, we already have a strong line up of strategic partners, and as far as name brands, we have Motorola and Panasonic,” O’Brien said. Motorola Inc. and Panasonic Communications & Systems Co. both are planning to make Nextel handsets.
McAuley said California customers were usually one of three types-coming from existing specialized mobile radio to digital, coming from another SMR to Nextel or coming from noncellular use.