The new service, "Nextel Online," will enable Nextel customers to use their digital phones to access a personalized Internet gateway, send and receive electronic mail and browse the Web - while on the go. The product was unveiled at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association's annual trade show in New Orleans, but pricing hasn't been determined.

Also contributing to the new Nextel package are Unwired Planet Inc, a Silicon Valley maker of tiny wireless browsers, and Motorola Inc, which is manufacturing the phones.

Nextel's service is the latest of many attempts to marry the convenience of cell phones with the reach of the Internet. Earlier efforts have been hampered by small screens and tiny keypads.

Nextel Online also is one of the first wireless-data products to be deployed over a national, all-ditigal network. "What iskey here is that Nextel Online integrates data, voice and their unique offerings," said Bukasa Tshilombo, a senior analyst at Dataquest Inc who was briefed on the Nextel technology.

Nextel is best known for its digital two-way, push-to-talk service. This walkie-talkie function enables users to talk privately at the touch of a button. The phones also have a speaker function that enables users to conduct conference calls. Nextel Online will blend these signature services with wireless-data capabilities.

Netscape, through its Custom Netcenter and E-Commerce software, has designed the portal, which will offer tailored services such as stock quotes, weather and business headlines. Nextel will provide the pipeline - its digital-wireless network.

Nextel's offering is significant because the Internet portal can be tailored to fit the needs of its mobile business customers.