How do I get my incoming Nextel text messages to display the sender's name?

Question

I have to memorize everyone's phone numbers so I know when they're texting me, because instead of showing their name it shows their number. And I also can't choose to text anyone from my address book - I have to remember their number then go in an type it in myself. I've had nextel a year and can't find a way to solve these problems?
PLEASE HELP!!

Answer 1

In order to answer this I am making several assumptions, which may be innacurate however I am working with the information you have provided. The assumptions are:
1) your problem is witth a mobile phone
2) Nextel is a mobile phone service provider, not an physical phone (hardware).
3) Nextel are a GSM digital network in the USA

Now for my answer:
The service provider does not have access to the phonebook (contacts list) in your mobile. A text message is sent from the source across the network with the senders number (sometimes) attached. When your phone receives the message, it will look in the phone for any contacts that match that number and convert it. The reverse happens when sending from your phone.

However, there is a digital barrier between the data stored on the phone memory chip and the SIM memory chip, and the SIM can store contacts, and can be accessed through the phonebook, but the chipset design does not automatically check the SIM for contacts that may be the contact who you are sending to or receiving from. It will only check the memory of the phone. So if you want to have those contacts accessible through that feature, transfer the contacts in your SIM to your phone.

Beware: If you ever choose to upgrade your phone, or change service providers, and want to keep your contacts, you will need to alter these options before interchanging physical components.

Each phone's menu system is different, so I cannot advise you on which buttons to press to make the transfer, so I suggest you walk into your local phone retailer, preferably one that deals in the phone make and model you own (regardless of their network promotions - they may try and convert you to their service, but like to be seen by other customers in the store as willing to help a non-customer). The network you are with should have no bearing on the ability to transfer contacts, or the way in which this is done.

Good luck