Nextel Family Plan
Review

There are two main types of Nextel family plan offered: Nextel National Team Share plan and also Nextel National Shared Minute plan. These cellular phone plans differ slightly and will be latter explained.

Both types offer free nation wide long distance, which is great for small businesses. In addition, Nextel does not have national roaming charges.

The main difference, between the two plans refers to the way the minutes are allocated. The Team Share plan functions similarly as most family plans, however the Shared Minute plan does not have the usual unlimited weekend and weeknight minutes offered by most wireless providers. They now offer the unlimited weekend and weeknight minutes for an additional $10. Instead the Shared Minute plan have unlimited Direct Connect minutes. Direct Connect minutes can be used to call other Nextel phone users, even if they are not registered on your phone plan. Therefore if most of your family and friends use Nextel, this would be a great plan to choose.

Another great feature of Nextel's National Shared Minute plan is you only pay for what you use; all calls after the first minute are rounded to the second. This to the second billing ensures you that you're only paying for what you use, unlike the Nextel's National Team Share plan and other providers who round up to the full minute.

How, does the Nextel family plan work? Quite differently in fact, unlike other providers Nextel requires each user to have their separate plan. So they don't have the "extra line" charge. Either of the two types of plans is fine, as long as they are all from the same type. When you add up the cost and the minutes of each plan, you will find that your not really getting that great of a deal.

As of July 2004, Nextel changed the way their family plan works. Now family members don't have to get separate plans, as an add on function is available to the Nextel National Team Shared plans. Additional lines are at $15 each, with one line included with the plan. You can still do it with their 2 phones and 2 plans option too, but it seems more expensive.

All in all Nextel's Direct Connect feature is quite convenient, with an above average coverage and call quality and the large number of Nextel family plans to choose from, there is always something for anyone.

Overall Rating for this plan: 4/5

To find out more about Nextel Family Plans and check availability, click here.

Here's a break down of what Nextel has to offer...

Nextel National Team Shared(with Add-On)

Provider

Monthly Fee

Anytime Minutes

Night/Weekend Minutes

Nextel to Nextel Minutes

$39.99	400	Unlimited	250 Per Line
$49.99	600	Unlimited	250 Per Line
$69.99	800	Unlimited	250 Per Line
$89.99	1000	Unlimited	250 Per Line

Nextel National Shared Minute

Provider

Monthly Fee

Anytime Minutes

Night/Weekend Minutes

Nextel to Nextel Minutes

$39.99	100	$10 Upgrade = Unlimited	Unlimited
$55.99	500	$10 Upgrade = Unlimited	Unlimited
$69.99	700	$10 Upgrade = Unlimited	Unlimited
$89.99	1000	$10 Upgrade = Unlimited	Unlimited
$119.99	1300	$10 Upgrade = Unlimited	Unlimited