Navy awards $60 million cell phone contract to AT&T, Sprint Nextel, Verizon

Navy awards $60M deal to 3 wireless providers

WASHINGTON — The Navy awarded a bundled $60 million contract to AT&T Inc., Sprint Nextel Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. for nationwide cell phone service, the Pentagon said late Monday.

Each wireless company will receive a $20 million contract.

Work is to be performed in various locations across the U.S. and expected to be completed by September 2010.

Shares of Dallas-based AT&T fell 18 cents to close at $26.87, while shares of Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint Nextel fell 3 cents to $4.25. New York-based Verizon added a penny to $29.50 in after-hours trading, after falling 10 cents to close at $29.49.