The GSMA announced today that leading mobile phone manufacturers have agreed to a new standard for mobile phone chargers. The standard will ensure that a common charger format is offered on new mobile phones as early as 2012. The universal charging solution (UCS) will use micro-USB, already in use in a number of devices such as digital cameras, as the common charging interface.
There are several advantages to using such a UCS. For consumers, it means less confusion as the same charger could be used for multiple devices. Travelers would also find it easier to charge devices across the world. UCS chargers will also adhere to more energy efficient standards. It could also mean that up to 50 percent fewer chargers would need to be manufactured every year.
Among the companies that have joined the GSMA’ UCS initiative are both manufacturers and mobile operators such AT&T, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, T-Mobile and Vodafone.