The world's biggest mobile phone manufacturers and network operators have agreed to adopt a new universal standard of phone recharger in an effort to be more environmentally friendly.
Claudine Beaumont, The Telegraph 17 Feb 09;
Until now, most mobile phones have used proprietary chargers that will only work on one kind of device.
But the GSMA, the trade organisation that represents the mobile phone industry, has called on manufacturers to be more eco-conscious and adopt a single phone charger that will work with all handsets.
Most of the main manufacturers, including Nokia, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, have signed up to the scheme, which will see the mini-USB plug adopted as the universal standard.
The new universal chargers will consume half as much energy when on standby as today's charging cables, said the GSMA, and will be supported by the majority of mobile phones by 2012.
"This is a broad agreement that will move the industry to a single, energy-efficient charger for all mobile phones," said Michael O'Hara, marketing director for the GSMA.
"By supporting this industry initiative on common charging solutions, and enabling consumers to choose if they need a charger with every new device or can re-use existing ones, we can contribute further in improving the industry's environmental footprint," said Mitti Storckovius, a senior director at Nokia.
Green technology has been one of the key themes at this year's Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona. Several major manufacturers, including LG and Samsung, unveiled solar-powered mobile phones, while other companies have been keen to underline their commitment to the use of recyclable materials and sustainable production.
The announcement was welcomed by technology experts. "A universal charger is well overdue, especially one that is as energy-efficient as this," said Ernest Doku, an analyst with mobile phone comparison site Omio.com. "The announcement from the GSMA isn't just welcome from an environmental standpoint, but will bring immediate benefits to the consumer. Wherever you are, you'll be able to charge your phone and stay connected."
Universal mobile phone charger unveiled as industry gets greener
• New device will include a 50% reduction in standby energy consumption
• Solar-powered phones set for launch
Richard Wray , guardian.co.uk 17 Feb 09;
The mobile phone industry plans to introduce a universal charger as part of a drive to improve its previously patchy environmental record.
The plan from industry body the GSM Association (GSMA) is just one of a raft of "green" announcements at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Not only will it mean phone users no longer have to hunt for the right charger, but the specifications for the new device include a 50% reduction in standby energy consumption.
All five of the UK's mobile phone companies have signed up to the universal charger, as have the major handset manufacturers, and phones which can use the new charger - which relies upon the micro-USB connection found in the new BlackBerry Storm - will start appearing later in the year. By 2012, the GSMA has pledged that the majority of phones shipped around the world will use the universal charger.
The mobile phone industry has been attacked by environmental campaigners in the past for being one of the least green areas of technology, but mobile phones made from recycled materials or sporting solar panels have been one of the most interesting features in Barcelona so far.
Samsung unveiled the Blue Earth touchscreen phone which has a solar panel on the back that can charge the phone. Available in the UK in the second half of the year, the handset is made from recycled plastic from water bottles and is also free from harmful substances such as brominated flame retardants, beryllium and phthalate.
It also includes an in-built pedometer which tells the user how much CO2 they have saved by walking instead of using motorised transport. Samsung's SGH-F268 handset was last year named as the industry's greenest in a survey by Greenpeace.
A range of solar-powered phones are also being created by Dutch company Intivation, in a joint venture with ZTE, China's largest mobile phone manufacturer, and mobile phone network Digicel, which has operations in such remote places as the South Pacific islands.
And Sweden's Flexenclosure has showcased the latest in wind-powered mobile phone masts.
LG pledged yesterday that it would remove brominated flame retardants, chlorinated flame retardants and polyvinyl chloride from the manufacturing process by next year. It also pledged to use green packaging across its entire line of 2009 mobile handset models.
The company has used the trade fair to unveil a handset equipped with a solar panel battery cover as part of what it termed an "aggressive green initiative".
"Using renewable solar energy in a mobile handset is an example of our ongoing efforts to help create a safer, cleaner environment for our customers," said LG's chief executive, Skott Ahn.
Exposing the phone to the sun for 10 minutes gives it enough power for a three-minute call. Left in natural light for long periods, the solar panel generates enough standby power to enable the phone to be used without any further charging.
