Back Washington, D.C. – (May 19, 2003) – Despite an end to major combat in Iraq, the American Red Cross continues its support of U.S. troops and their families. Hundreds of thousands of military service men and women continue to be deployed under Operation Iraqi Freedom and will depend on American Red Cross emergency communication services to keep them connected to their loved ones back home. The American Red Cross and Nextel Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXTL) have launched a nationwide DONATE A PHONE campaign and customer donation program to raise critical funds for the services the organization provides to military members and their families. St. Louis residents can participate in the program by taking their old wireless phones – any brand – to one of the eight St. Louis-area Nextel Retail Stores. After recycling and refurbishing the phones, Nextel will donate the net proceeds of the resale value, which averages $1.50 for each phone collected, to American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services, the arm of the organization that supports service members and their families. In addition, the public will have the opportunity to make tax-deductible cash donations to the American Red Cross at Nextel stores. The DONATE A PHONE program is a simple way for Americans to support military members and their families by donating their old wireless phones. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless Foundation, the philanthropic organization for the nation’s wireless industry and the creator of the DONATE A PHONE program, estimates that approximately 30 million old wireless phones lay idle in American homes and businesses. Through a worldwide communication network, the American Red Cross supports our men and women in uniform by: facilitating emergency communication; mobilizing and deploying Red Cross workers to live and work alongside troops; reaching out to the “changing face” of the military, members of the National Guard/Reserves and their families; and other social services. From the home front to the frontlines, the Red Cross delivers emergency messages such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness or the birth of a child. Since January, demand for American Red Cross services has increased significantly. The American Red Cross estimates it will need an additional $8 million over the next several months to cover costs for emergency communication and other vital services. “The American Red Cross is looking forward to partnering with Nextel to help military members and their families,” said Joseph White, chief executive officer, American Red Cross, St Louis. “The DONATE A PHONE program offers a welcomed opportunity to provide better service to our communities.” Nextel Communications CEO Tim Donahue said, “We at Nextel, like so many people around the nation, want to help the families whose loved ones are serving our country overseas. This DONATE A PHONE campaign is an easy way for all of us to help keep military members connected to the home front.” The DONATE A PHONE program is slated to continue through Dec. 31, 2003. Local launches and events in major markets in the United States will take place throughout the year. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.nextel.com or www.redcross.org. About Nextel Nextel Communications, a Fortune 300 company based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the country covering thousands of communities across the United States. Nextel and Nextel Partners, Inc., currently serve 198 of the top 200 U.S. markets. Through recent market launches, Nextel and Nextel Partners service today is available in areas of the U.S. where approximately 240 million people live or work. For more information, please visit www.nextel.com. About the American Red Cross Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. More information about the American Red Cross can be found at www.redcross.org. Nextel St. Louis-area Retail Stores Ballwin Olde Towne Plaza Ladue Ladue Crossing St. Louis West County Mall Crestwood Mall South County Mall Chesterfield Chesterfield Mall St. Charles 94 Crossing St. Peters Mid Rivers Mall ###

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