The GSMA and 17 leading mobile operators and manufacturers on Tuesday said at the Mobile World Congress that they are committed to implementing a cross-industry standard for a universal charger for new mobile phones. Firms to back the plan include Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, T-Mobile, Orange, 3, AT&T and Vodafone. The majority of new handsets will support the re-charger by 2012. A universal charger will also make life much simpler for the consumer, who will be able to use the same charger for future handsets, as well as being able to charge their mobile phone anywhere from any available charger. The aim of the initiative, led by the GSMA, is to ensure that the mobile industry adopts a common format for mobile phone charger connections and energy-efficient chargers resulting in an estimated 50% reduction in standby energy consumption, the potential elimination of up to 51,000 tones of duplicate chargers and the enhancement of the customer experience by simplifying the charging of mobile phones.

The GSM Association took a year and a half just to figure out when to introduce the universal charger concept, but did not think of inviting Apple. Makes one wonder if Apple, actually funds policy makers to stay standard, so that it can go about promoting itself as being one of a kind.

[AppleInsider]