<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-88971
4 3/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2007 CUSIP No. 65332VAR4
NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 18, 2000
TO PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 3, 1999
The selling stockholders table on pages 21-24 of the prospectus, as
amended, is hereby further amended to update the information regarding the
following entity in the prospectus and its respective amount of 4 3/4%
convertible senior notes due 2007.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONVERTIBLE NOTES COMMON STOCK
----------------- ------------
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF NUMBER OF
CONVERTIBLE CONVERTIBLE NUMBER OF SHARES
NAME OF SELLING STOCKHOLDER NOTES OWNED NOTES OFFERED SHARES OWNED OFFERED
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith $2,170,000 $2,170,000 0 0
Inc./1/
</TABLE>
/1/ This entity and/or its affiliates have provided, and may from time to time
provide, investment banking services to Nextel, including, among other
things, acting as lead and/or co-manager with respect to offerings of
debt and equity securities.
