Sprint Provides 60-Day Notice For iDEN Shutdown

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Fri May 03, 2013 5:27 pm

http://newsroom.sprint.com/article_disp ... ew_id=3515

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated ... ed_Network

I was debating whether I should post this here or not, but in my way of thinking iDen is, or I will soon say was, actually an SMR in my way of thinking. At least originally, as I recall. Anyway, I have got to imagine that what little end user equipment is still in circulation here in the United States has to be available at "fire sale" prices. That is, if there is any value to any remaining end user equipment. I have read that Nextel Mexico is still in business running iDen and Southern LINC in a few southern states in the US on iDen, so it might be a windfall for some people. Does anybody happen to know what other iDen systems left in the US? Is ARINC or others still using iDen?

N4KVE · Post by **N4KVE** » Fri May 03, 2013 8:46 pm

It was fun while it lasted. Sorry to see it go. I still have some handsets from different times. The newer ones still work on Direct Talk. GARY

KD8GWD · Post by **KD8GWD** » Fri May 03, 2013 9:09 pm

We were still using iDEN at work up until about 2 weeks ago, They replaced our i530's with the Sprint equivalent and they are TERRIBLE. No service in our building, and it barely works outside the building. Sprint's Direct Connect is a JOKE.

MTS2000des · Post by **MTS2000des** » Fri May 03, 2013 10:16 pm

Great news for SMR, I can see MotoTRBO and NXDN orders like crazy over the next few weeks.
PTT over cellular is like putting lipstick on a pig, sometimes its okay to call the baby ugly.

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sat May 04, 2013 5:36 am

N4KVE wrote:.....I still have some handsets from different times. The newer ones still work on Direct Talk.....

Yes, I do, too. In fact, I used them on our Caribbean cruise over a year ago on the ship and they were handy to have on board. So much so, that I might just pick up one or more additional units. It looks like some of the i365s units came with a fixed antenna. I might be leaning towards one of those with the thought that it may have better range. Or, I might go for a Nextel Titanium because of the Android functionality. That would allow me to install on board maps for the GPS and have a simplex walkie-talkie! On the other hand, I might spring for a Motorola R765 or just buy some Motorola DTR550s. Does anybody know if the R765s will work on Direct Talk with units like the i580? I seem to recall that the DTR550 with NOT work with Nextel Direct Talk, but I want to verify that the R765 units will.

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Sat May 04, 2013 7:22 am

There are still a number of private systems still in use mainly by utility companies. I don't expect these to go away anytime in the near future. Big problem is that there is no new radio equipment in the pipeline. What you have is what you got for radio units now.

Jim

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sat May 04, 2013 7:42 am

Well, I was wondering about that, too. Obviously you make an excellent point. Would there still be a demand from the SouthernLINC end suers or have they decided to convert everything to a combination GSM/iDEN hybrid? What about equipment for Nextel Mexico? Or is the fate of Nextel Mexico going to be the same as here in the United States?

eleet · Post by **eleet** » Sat May 04, 2013 8:00 am

I thought ARINC had systems at the Washington airports. Last time I was looking around up there it seems like they had moved to p25.

I really liked iDEN but Motorola couldn't have done a worse job selling it if it were ice in the sahara.

guy being a guy · Post by **guy being a guy** » Sat May 04, 2013 8:37 am

I just had to change over myself.
I had an I576 and Sprint sold me a Iphone 4S as a "transition" phone for $50. I LOVE my new phone to say the least. I also was happy with the price and service Sprint gave me - no complaints.

MTS2000des · Post by **MTS2000des** » Sat May 04, 2013 5:10 pm

Jim202 wrote:There are still a number of private systems still in use mainly by utility companies. I don't expect these to go away anytime in the near future. Big problem is that there is no new radio equipment in the pipeline. What you have is what you got for radio units now.

Jim

Southern LINC is transitioning to TETRA, SoCo was one the largest (and first) private iDEN systems.
It will be only a matter of time before iDEN ends up in the big blue scrap pile beside Privacy Plus, Smartnet and other network technologies of yesteryear- buried right next to our analog Saber rados and STX821's.

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sun May 05, 2013 7:44 am

Does anybody here happen to know if the Motorola r765 off-network MOTOtalk simplex is fully compatible with all other Nextel Direct Talk capable units?

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Sun May 05, 2013 12:54 pm

wonder how long till ham get there hands on the old stuff and try and put it on900

N4KVE · Post by **N4KVE** » Sun May 05, 2013 12:59 pm

KitN1MCC wrote:wonder how long till ham get there hands on the old stuff and try and put it on900

The nice thing is you don't have to be a ham to use Direct talk. Anybody can use it license free. With the Nextel system off the air, these phones will be going cheap on auction sites. A pair of these will work much better than bubble pack radios. GARY

mikegilbert · Post by **mikegilbert** » Sun May 05, 2013 3:44 pm

MTS2000des wrote:Great news for SMR, I can see MotoTRBO and NXDN orders like crazy over the next few weeks.
PTT over cellular is like putting lipstick on a pig, sometimes its okay to call the baby ugly.

Agreed- this is the biggest opportunity for SMR to get back customers they lost to Nextel.

Day wireless has their TRBOWest system here in the PNW. If they know what's good for them, they'll get the sales team in full force to convert existing Nextel users.

N4KVE · Post by **N4KVE** » Sun May 05, 2013 4:04 pm

Since most of SMR was on 800, & Sprint is turning the Nextel SMR 800 freq's into their CDMA phone system, where will these new SMR companies operate? GARY

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sun May 05, 2013 4:10 pm

N4KVE wrote:Since most of SMR was on 800, & Sprint is turning the Nextel SMR 800 freq's into their CDMA phone system, where will these new SMR companies operate? GARY

UHF/MotoTRBO... LTR providers of stand-alone sites out here have transitioned them to Connect PLUS TRBO a over the past year, it wouldn't be hard to sway Nextel users with the SL7550... but then again the cost factor of new TRBO radios as opposed to new/with Contract pricing will be the tough part, and perhaps coverage.

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Mon May 06, 2013 4:07 pm

i think some users would do good with an installed radio instead of a handheld as well less of chance of some one forgetting there phone/radio

FireCpt809 · Post by **FireCpt809** » Tue May 07, 2013 3:57 am

Let the trade in deals begin!!
http://magnumelectronics.wordpress.com/ ... gust-2013/