Microsoft
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Microsoft's ambitions are anything but small. The world's #1 software company provides a variety of products and services, including its Windows operating systems and Office software suite. The company has expanded into markets such as video game consoles, interactive television, and Internet access. With its core markets maturing, Microsoft is targeting services for growth, looking to transform its software applications into Web-based services for enterprises and consumers. Microsoft has reached settlements to end a slew of antitrust investigations and lawsuits, including agreeing to uniformly license its operating systems and allowing manufacturers to include competing software with Windows.RETURN

Nextel
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Running to keep up with an always-changing telecom race, Sprint Nextel combines the best of two powerhouse wireless companies. The combination of #3 US wireless carrier Sprint with #5 Nextel Communications has created a wireless giant that aspires to take on the wireless units of bounding former Baby Bells Verizon (and Verizon Wireless) and AT&T Inc. (and AT&T Mobility, formerly Cingular). Sprint Nextel operates a nationwide digital wireless network with about 53 million subscribers. The #1 non-Bell local phone company in the US, Sprint Nextel has spun off its local wireline operations, known as Embarq, to focus on the future of wireless -- wireless broadband.RETURN