I also use nextel for a few years. The free direct connect is cool but long conversations need a phone call. Also it seems like the service has gotten consistently worse in this area (NY). They do have a new camera phone that is ridiculously expensive.
I think i may switch to Verizon for service reasons. They seem to be the best in these parts. There is a much better variety of phones. They have Verizon to verizon calls free which i feel beats direct connect. My better half just got a new camera phone - unsure of model - and the pictures come out surprisingly clear compared to other models with enough light.

Mike