Sprint Nextel

Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section. The more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.

Once the oddest of odd couples, Sprint and Nextel are now married after a 2005 merger. The combined company is now the third largest wireless carrier and the second largest CDMA carrier in the United States. The company will retain separate Sprint and Nextel brands for the time being, but it has begun to introduce dual-mode iDEN/CDMA phones that use iDEN for push-to-talk calls and Sprint's CDMA network for voice services. Sprint began wireless service under its brand in 1995, and Nextel was founded in 1987.

Things you should know:

• This carrier offers an unlimited calling plan.
• Sprint was the second major carrier to offer a 3G (EV-DO) network. However, coverage is limited to urban areas.
• Nextel phones offer a strong set of business-friendly features, including adding a second line to a handset. Also, the carrier pioneered push-to-talk technology with its Direct Connect (now called Walkie-Talkie) service.
• Among the major carriers, Sprint is the sole provider of Sanyo phones. Its handset lineup also includes a fair number of Samsung and LG handsets as well as Treo and BlackBerry smart phones. Nextel's iDEN handsets, which are all made by Motorola, are characterized by durable and rugged designs.
• Sprint's Power Pack plans have extended night and weekend hours. Nextel offers plans with unlimited incoming calls.
• Sprint's CDMA network and Nextel's iDEN network are distinct technologies that use separate networks with different coverage areas. Also, with the exception of the dual-mode handsets, the two networks are incompatible. Tell us what you think in our user opinions section.
• International CDMA and iDEN coverage has a smaller footprint than GSM, though the carrier now offers dual-mode CDMA/GSM handsets and a dualmode iDEN/GSM device.

Fast facts:

• Subscribers: 53.8 million
• Coverage: Sprint has CDMA coverage in every state, but coverage in Alaska is limited to analog roaming only. Nextel's iDEN network has coverage in every state except Alaska and Montana. As with all carriers, individual coverage will vary by location. For international coverage CDMA roaming is available in 26 countries while Nextel iDEN roaming is available in 11 countries.
• Technology: CDMA, 1xRTT, iDEN
• 3G network: Yes, EV-DO
• Streaming video service: Yes, Sprint Power Vision
• Music download service: Yes, Sprint Music Store
• Push-to-talk: Available, depending on phone model
• Analog roaming: Yes
• Prepay plans: No
• Family plans: Yes