Universal Mobile Phone Charger Approved: One Size Fits All

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
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About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (1329)

A universal charger for all mobile phones took a significant step closer to becoming a reality last week, with the International Telecommunication Union – a branch of the United Nations – giving it the go-ahead.

Manufacturers having brand-specific chargers which often become incompatible when people upgrade results in an estimated 51,000 tonnes of wastage, according to the GSMA.

New energy efficient phone chargers not only conform to a micro-USB plug – a standard currently used by many gadgets including cameras – they are also able to save a potential 13.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by not having to be disposed of when owners recycle mobile phones.

“This is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging,” said Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau.

Whilst not compulsory to switch over to the standardised chargers, many major handset makers pledged support at Mobile World Congress including Nokia, Samsung, LG, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, as well as operators 3, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange and O2-owner Telefonica.

The BlackBerry Storm already ships with a micro-USB charger whilst Sony Ericsson phones are planned to be bundled with it in 2010.

Great news for both the consumer and the environment and also well overdue, we say.

Tags: GSMA, Mobile World Congress, universal, universal charger, universal phone charger, universal phone chargers