In what I consider a strange move, Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE: S) said recently that it would begin offering more hybrid phones that work with the older Nextel Direct Connect walkie-talkie feature along with having voice service available with Sprint's current network. As many of you know, Sprint Nextel operates two completely incompatible wireless networks in the U.S. -- a reason oft cited as the main cause of the failure of Sprint and Nextel to fully merge.Perhaps Nextel's network is the only reliable one for the much-needed walkie-talkie service that so many companies and industries rely on. If you're in construction, manual labor or field work, you most likely have experienced Nextel's walkie-talkie service at some point. But, it appears Sprint is indeed trying to keep its two networks separate instead of integrating both into a single, national network with a singular customer base.
Sprint deployed a replacement service to the Nextel walkie-talkie feature years ago called "Ready Link," but the service did not catch on with dedicated Nextel subscribers or even new Sprint subscribers at all. In fact, I would go as far as to say the only worth the older Nextel network has to Sprint at this point is the popularity of its Direct Connect service. Other than that, why on earth would Sprint just kill the Nextel brand and product and put it to rest once and for all? It's already written off almost the entire merger price anyway.
Advanced Micro Devices rallies after settling Intel tiff
United Technologies fires up a deal with GE
Cramer on BloggingStocks: Not much time left for downside 
