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'One size fits all' phone charger soon a reality

by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  on Wednesday, 01 July 2009
PHONE CHARGING: Set to be made easier from next year, after EC reaches agreement with mobile operators. (Getty Images)
PHONE CHARGING: Set to be made easier from next year, after EC reaches agreement with mobile operators. (Getty Images)

A single "standard" phone charger that will be compatible across all makes and models is set to be made available, starting next year.

The initiative comes after major handset companies Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Texas Instruments, reached an accord with the European Commission. It came after the Commission threatened Europe-wide legislation to get the major handset makers to co-operate.

There are currently more than 30 types of phone chargers in circulation in member states of the European Union, with industry estimates saying more than 50,000 are lying around unused, due to compatibility problems between different handset manufacturers.

EU Industry commissioner Gunter Verheugen said: ''I am very pleased the industry has found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers.

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''This also means considerably less electronic waste because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying new phones,'' he added.

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READERS' COMMENTS

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Mobile 'Phone Chargers
Posted by Andy, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 2 July 2009 at 13:58 UAE time


A very welcome announcement. Common sense has prevailed!
Common sense prevails at last
Posted by Mohamed Zihar, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Wednesday 1 July 2009 at 07:26 UAE time


It is great that there phone chargers will be standardized at last. This should be extended all devices such as PDAs, cameras, bluetooth, MP3 players, laptops, etc.

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