Big "M" phasing out 4 NEXTEL models, intro'ing others in March. Hello i930???

From: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel @ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/

Motorola to cut some phone models made in Plantation

By Ian Katz
Business Writer
Posted January 20 2005

Motorola Inc. said Wednesday it will stop making some cellular phone models at its complex in Plantation, but does not know whether any jobs will be cut as a result.

At least four models made for Nextel Communications Inc. will be "ramped down" in the first quarter of this year, Motorola spokesman Steven Hendricks said. Some new models will likely be introduced starting in March to replace the old ones, he said.

When asked whether the shift could cause a reduction of Motorola's 3,000 employees in Plantation, Hendricks said, "I just don't know yet. I think they [company management] are looking at that now."

Hendricks noted that the number of shifts at the plant was reduced last year from three to two. "We are basically shutting down the old phones," he said. "Once we introduce the new phones, we will decide how many shifts [are needed.]"

The models being phased out are the i730, i710, i530 and i205. The i860 camera phone and the i830, which includes an Internet micro-browser, will continue to be produced in Plantation. Other models that will still be made include the i325, i315, i88s, i58sr, i35s and i30sx. Several of those are considered rugged and are favored by construction companies and utilities.

Nextel's proposed merger with Sprint Corp. has raised speculation of layoffs at Motorola, which has been Nextel's exclusive phone supplier. But Hendricks said he has been assured that the merger in itself will not cause job reductions in Plantation.

Up to 90 percent of the Plantation employees are part of Motorola's Integrated Digital Enhanced Network, or iDEN. The complex also includes fewer than 100 people working for the company's Latin America division and some members of Motorola's government and enterprise unit.

In December, Motorola finished shutting down its operations in Boynton Beach, where it employed 3,500 people five years ago.

Ian Katz can be reached at [email protected] or 954-356-4664.

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Why would they phase out the i730? Isn't it one of the best sellers? I don't get it. I'm having problems with modified i730's right now. I've bought two and both got screwed up being modified so I had decided just to buy an OEM i730. If they are phasing it out, maybe I should just wait?

I would wait, I have an i730 and have for almost a year, it is not the best nextel I have had but overall it is not that bad. they are phasing it out because it looks like they will be replacing it with the i740 which is the same phone essentially but with mototalk, the off network two-way radio feature. also they have quite a few known problems with the phone and the repairs and services have cost them money.

Originally Posted by 1badss

I would wait, I have an i730 and have for almost a year, it is not the best nextel I have had but overall it is not that bad. they are phasing it out because it looks like they will be replacing it with the i740 which is the same phone essentially but with mototalk, the off network two-way radio feature. also they have quite a few known problems with the phone and the repairs and services have cost them money.

like the above stated...too much money is being lost on the 730 for repairs and upgrades...it was rushed into production without kinks being worked out. this is the 860 took so long upon release and why there were soo many betas