Sprint’s Local Communications Business, Henderson, Nev., Launch Wi-Fi Trial

Sprint Provides Wireless Broadband to City

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — 03/20/2006, Sprint Nextel Corp.’s (NYSE: S) local communications business, which will separate from Sprint Nextel and will be known as EMBARQ™ later this year, and the City of Henderson, Nev., announced today that they have partnered to launch a mesh Wi-Fi broadband network trial in portions of Henderson. In those areas where the network is being trialed, city officials, businesses, individuals, and first responders such as fire and police officials will have access to broadband while in the field.

“This is the first municipal Wi-Fi trial of this magnitude carried out by a local telecommunications operator in the United States,” said Berge Ayvazian, chief strategy officer, Yankee Group. “It will be a tremendous opportunity for both Sprint and the City of Henderson to jointly develop municipal broadband wireless applications and retail services for consumers and businesses.”

The trial provides the City of Henderson the opportunity to use the latest wireless broadband technology. In addition, it provides Sprint with a vital market and partner to measure user experience and acceptance of the technology.

“We are excited to partner with Sprint on such an exciting new service,” said Henderson Mayor James. B. Gibson. “Allowing our police and fire personnel, safety inspectors and other officials access to Wi-Fi services will really help them in their efforts to ensure the safety and security of our residents. This partnership is another innovative way we are working to provide an unmatched quality of life and level of service to our people.”

In those areas of Henderson where the network has been deployed both residents and visitors will be able to use the service, free of charge, for the trial period that is scheduled to run through the end of May.

“By partnering with the City of Henderson, this service will help first responders do their jobs and offer residents and visitors wireless services at broadband speeds,” said Kenny Wyatt, vice president of Marketing and Product Development for Business, at Sprint. “Our approach is to work side by side with local communities to bring them cutting edge technologies that deliver the newest products and services.”

The first trial area is in downtown Henderson and is bordered on the north by West Lake Mead Parkway, on the south and west by Basic Road which curves from Boulder Highway to Lake Mead Parkway, and on the east by Bolder Highway. The second trial area encompasses a new development called “The District,” which consists of retail shops, restaurants, office space and luxury lofts.

About EMBARQ
Upon the separation from Sprint Nextel, EMBARQ is expected to be a NYSE-listed company with approximately $6 billion in annual revenues, rank among the Fortune 500 and serve as the fifth largest local communications company in the United States based on the company’s 7.35 million access lines as of December 31, 2005. The company will provide a suite of communications services, consisting of local and long distance voice and data services, including high-speed Internet access. The company expects to have approximately 20,000 employees at the time of the separation from Sprint Nextel.


About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/mr.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The matters discussed in this press release that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments, in particular relating to completion of the separation. This discussion is qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future events generally and also may differ materially from actual future experience involving any one or more of such matters. Such risks and uncertainties include: the result of the review of the proposed separation by various regulatory agencies and any conditions imposed on Embarq Corporation or Sprint Nextel in connection with consummation of the separation, the approval of the separation by the Sprint Nextel board of directors, the receipt of satisfactory tax opinions and the risks that are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” contained in the Form 10 Registration Statement of Embarq Corporation, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2006, as amended March 14, 2006, and in Sprint Nextel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. In addition to the factors mentioned above and within the Form 10 Registration Statement and in Sprint Nextel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, economic, governmental, technological, capital market and other factors could affect the forward-looking statements in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and neither Sprint Nextel nor Embarq Corporation undertakes an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.

Contact Information

Charles Fleckenstein

Media Contact

Sprint Nextel Corp.

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