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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
 
                                               , 1997
 
Nextel Communications, Inc.
1505 Farm Credit Drive
McLean, Virginia 22102
 
Gentlemen:
 
     We have acted as counsel to Nextel Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration of up to
2,160,072 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company (the
"Shares"), to be issued by the Company pursuant to Post-Effective Amendment No.
2 on Form S-3 (File No. 33-80021) to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (File No. 33-80021) (the "Registration Statement"), filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission to which this opinion appears as Exhibit 5.
 
     We have examined originals or certified or photostatic copies of such
records of the Company, certificates of officers of the Company, and public
officials and such other documents as we have deemed relevant or necessary as
the basis of the opinion set forth below in this letter. In such examination, we
have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to original
documents submitted as certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of
originals of such latter documents. Based on the foregoing, we are of the
following opinion:
 
        The Shares are duly authorized, and when issued by the Company in the
        manner described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued,
        fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement and the reference to this Firm under the heading "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE