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Global Appeal Connecting the world with the push of a button

By Mike Hogan

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery-and theclearest validation of a business idea. Nextel Communications'Direct Connect walkie-talkie service is doing so well that largercarriers want a piece of the premium-subscriber pie. Sprint PCS andVerizon Wireless are anxious to let everyone know they'll offerpush-button phoning sometime this year, although they're hazyon the details. All carriers plan to have it by 2004.


Men use their cell phones
14%
more than women do.
SOURCE: CingularWireless

Meanwhile, Nextel's Direct Connect recently went nationwide,enabling a subscriber in Hawaii to push a button and hook up with abuddy in Maine. Originally limited to a caller's hometown,coverage has been gradually expanded with the strengthening ofMotorola's iDEN network.

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