CTIA–The Wireless Association Announces One Universal Charger Solution to Celebrate Earth Day

[1]April 22, 2009 08:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Will Reduce Energy Consumption and Make Device Charging Easier for Consumers

Also Encourages Consumers to Recycle Mobile Devices and Accessories

CTIA Wireless 2009

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE [2])--On behalf of the wireless industry, CTIA-The Wireless Association® announced today its commitment to support a common format for wireless phone chargers, known as the "Universal Charging Solution" (UCS). Developed by the Open Mobile Terminal Platform industry standards group and recently adopted by the GSMA, the UCS aims to reduce energy consumption and enhance the customer experience through the adoption of a single "one-charger-fits-all" solution for new wireless devices by January 1, 2012. The UCS will use the Micro-USB format as the common universal charging interface, and use energy efficient chargers in compliance with U.S. "Energy Star" requirements for external power adapters that will provide an estimated 50% reduction in standby energy consumption.

"Earth Day serves as a great reminder that the wireless industry and all of us have a role to play when it comes to taking care of our planet. We recognize the need and the responsibility we have to help create a low-carbon economy, and the initiative to adopt a ‘Universal Charging Solution' is an important step in the right direction," said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association. "A universal charger will not only be more energy efficient, it will also make life easier for consumers by allowing them to use the same charger for future handsets."

During the International WIRELESS 2009® tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada, where "smart energy" was one of the themes, CTIA's Board of Directors adopted the UCS initiative at its April 1^st meeting. The wireless industry is actively developing innovative solutions and alternative energy sources to help increase efficiency and sustainability in the mobile environment. Former Vice President Al Gore delivered a compelling keynote address to close out the week in Las Vegas, and remarked that wireless technology will be one of the key tools used to help solve the global climate crisis. View clips from Gore's informative keynote address [3] by visiting http://daily.ctia.org/wireless2009/ [4], and watch a brief video on the latest "smart energy [5]" innovations in the wireless world.

The wireless industry is also committed to reusing and recycling mobile devices and accessories. In addition to the independent and ongoing recycling efforts by the major U.S. carrier companies, the industry voluntarily developed a nationwide recycling campaign called "Wireless...The New Recyclable [6]" in 2003. The centerpiece of this public outreach and awareness campaign is an in-store phone take-back program that allows consumers to bring their used wireless devices and accessories to carrier retail outlets for recycling purposes. Consumers can learn more about this program by visiting www.recyclewirelessphones.com [7].

"Millions of phones have been collected and kept out of landfills thanks to the wireless industry's commitment to wireless recycling and the maintenance of successful, consumer friendly recycling programs," continued Largent. "Thousands of drop-off locations, including all major wireless carrier retail stores, collect all makes and models of wireless phones, accessories and chargers, making wireless recycling easy for consumers across the country."

Before recycling wireless phones, CTIA-The Wireless Association reminds consumers to follow three easy steps:

1. Terminate your carrier service.

2. Erase contacts and other stored personal information on the mobile phone by utilizing the free Cell Phone Data Eraser [8] at http://wirelessrecycling.com/home/data_eraser/ [9].

3. Remove your phone's SIM card, if it has one. Phones that operate on GSM networks use SIM cards. If you are not sure if your phone uses a SIM card or if you need assistance removing your SIM card, contact your wireless provider.

CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry,
representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.
www.ctia.org [10]

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5945378&lang=en [11]