Nextel & USHCC Help Hispanic Owned Businesses.

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) announced that it has expanded its partnership with Nextel Communications Inc. to help USHCC members make their businesses more effective and efficient through digital wireless solutions on the Nextel nationwide network. Through this new partnership, USHCC members will be eligible for the “Equipt for Business” program.

Designed as a productivity enhancing business initiative, the “Equipt for Business” program will connect USHCC members to Nextel’s differentiated products and services including the BlackBerry 7520, the Motorola i860, Nextel’s first handset with a built-in camera, plus TeleNav, the GPS turn-by-turn, audible and visual driving direction solution, Creditel Power Swipe for instant and secure credit card transactions and IT2ME, the wireless GPS solution that allows customers to track and monitor physical assets, employees and other valuable resources which are available on select Nextel handsets. In addition, Nextel will also offer training and information on maximizing wireless communications to USHCC members as well.

For each new activation under the “Equipt for Business” program Nextel will make a donation to the Hispanic College Fund (HCF).

“We applaud Nextel’s increased commitment to the Hispanic business owner. The ‘Equipt for Business’ program will allow our members to be more efficient; taking advantage of Nextel’s powerful handsets and wireless services to save time and money as they conduct business,” said Armando Ojeda, president and CEO of the USHCC. “Nextel’s dedication to the HCF raises awareness of the challenges our Hispanic students face as they move on to Higher Education.”

“Nextel regards this new partnership with the USHCC as a natural progression of our strategy to deliver relevant and effective solutions to U.S. Hispanic business owners,” said Miguel Avila, senior director of Hispanic marketing for Nextel. “Through the ‘Equipt for Business’ program, we offer wireless business solutions that meet the instant communication needs of small and medium-sized Hispanic-owned businesses to assist them as they conduct business. It’s a great opportunity to support the HCF, and we are proud to be a part of this program.”

In addition, Nextel will continue to be USHCC’s Official Wireless Communications Provider at the organization’s annual national convention and business expo, to be held in Milwaukee, Wis., October 14-17, 2005.