Nextel's Pay-As-You-Go Walkie-Talkie (Direct Connect) relied on the iDEN network, which shut down in 2013. Today, push-to-talk lives on through carrier PTT over LTE/5G and internet apps like Zello. Modern services offer nationwide or global reach depending on network or internet access, support larger groups, and use a mix of subscription or bundled billing instead of the old minute buckets. Verify coverage, group limits and billing with each provider before committing.
What the old Nextel Pay-As-You-Go Walkie-Talkie was
In the 2000s, Nextel popularized a walkie-talkie style service (Direct Connect) that let users push-to-talk (PTT) with friends and coworkers instantly. Many customers liked the simplicity: group calls, near-instant connections and pay-as-you-go minute buckets or plan-based allowances.
The network change: why you can't get the original Nextel service anymore
The original Nextel iDEN network and its Direct Connect service were retired when Sprint shut down iDEN in mid-2013. Sprint later merged with T-Mobile in 2020, and the branded Nextel PTT experience you remember is no longer available on that original infrastructure.
What replaced it: modern PTT options
Today, push-to-talk survives in two main forms: carrier PTT services and internet-based PTT apps.
- Carrier PTT: Major U.S. carriers offer LTE/5G-based PTT for enterprise and some consumer plans (for example, Verizon Push to Talk Plus). These services provide nationwide coverage where the carrier's network is available and often integrate with business features (roster management, priority access).
- Apps over data/Wi-Fi: Apps such as Zello and Voxer simulate walkie-talkie behavior over data or Wi-Fi. They work across networks and internationally where internet access exists, and they often offer free basic tiers plus paid plans for advanced features.
Plans, coverage and groups - what to expect now
Providers offer a range of coverage: local-only PTT is rare today, but carrier PTT is typically nationwide in the operator's footprint. International PTT depends on roaming and app reach; internet apps can connect users worldwide so long as both ends have data or Wi-Fi.
Group sizes vary by service. Modern carrier and cloud-based PTT systems commonly support much larger groups than older iDEN systems, and they include features like presence, priorities, and admin-managed rosters. Older Nextel group limits are part of history and may differ from modern offerings.
Billing and pay-as-you-go today
Pay-as-you-go, per-minute buckets were a common billing model for legacy services. Today, PTT billing varies: some carriers include PTT as part of a monthly plan or business package, while apps may use subscription pricing or metered data use. Session billing policies (for example, how a PTT session is timed or who is billed for a session start) differ by provider - check terms before you sign up. 1
Quick recommendations
If you liked the simplicity of Nextel's Walkie-Talkie, try a modern PTT app (Zello or similar) for instant, cross-network calling. For enterprise reliability and nationwide coverage, evaluate carrier PTT offerings and read their billing and group-size terms carefully.
- Confirm historical Nextel group size limits (e.g., claimed up to 20 participants) and document exact legacy limits.
- Verify whether the old Nextel Pay-As-You-Go billing rule that the first person to hit the Walkie Talkie button within the first six seconds is billed is accurate and find primary source documentation.
- Confirm the exact list of countries included in any historical Nextel international Walkie Talkie plan (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Peru, Mexico) if that detail is needed.