NEXTEL: THE HAPPY LONER

摘要

Bernard J. Ebbers, the chief executive of long-distance giant MCI-WorldCom Inc., has earned a reputation for making shrewd acquisitions over the past decade. But he missed a doozy last year. In May, Ebbers balked at acquiring wireless player Nextel Communications Inc. for about $13 billion. Since then Nextel's shares have more than quadrupled, to 151, thanks to booming demand for its wireless phone services and focus on the lucrative business market. That makes Nextel worth a staggering $55 billion today.