<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 MARCH 16, 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 entities in the prospectus and their respective amounts of 4 3/4%
convertible senior notes due 2007.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONVERTIBLE NOTES COMMON STOCK
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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>
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation/1/ $4,500,000 $4,500,000 0 0
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston $ 48,000 $ 48,000 0 0
New Hampshire Retirement System $ 284,000 $ 284,000 0 0
Parker-Hannifin Corporation $ 58,000 $ 58,000 0 0
PIMCO Convertible Bond Fund $1,000,000 $1,000,000 0 0
ProMutual $ 176,000 $ 176,000 0 0
Putnam Balanced Retirement Fund $ 128,000 $ 128,000 0 0
Putnam Convertible Income-Growth Trust $3,000,000 $3,000,000 0 0
Putnam Convertible Opportunities and $ 131,000 $ 131,000 0 0
Income Trust
University of Rochester $ 45,000 $ 45,000 0 0
</TABLE>
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/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.
