Europe Moves Close to a Single Charger Standard for All Phones:

The European Union has approved the final stage of plans to require a single common phone charger standard for all phones sold in the region, although full compliance could take up to three more years.

The common charger is part of a provisional deal on radio equipment rules struck by politicians and the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Ministers on Thursday.

"I am especially pleased that we agreed on the introduction of a common charger - although the Council and the Commission were hesitant at first. This will benefit the consumers", said rapporteur Barbara Weiler after the successful outcome of the negotiations with the Council.

The draft directive lays down harmonised rules for placing radio equipment, including cellular telephones, car door openers and modems, on the market. The rules aim to keep pace with the growing number and variety of radio equipment devices and ensure that they do not interfere with each other while respecting essential health and safety requirements.

Common charger

European politicians ensured that the new radio equipment rules will oblige manufacturers to make mobile phones compatible with a common charger. It will simplify the use of radio equipment and reduce unnecessary waste and cost for

Cutting red tape

Customers will also face less paper work when buying radio equipment, because manufactures will be allowed to leave out a separate "book" of declaration of conformity, in favour of a simplified statement on conformity with a web link to a full declaration.

Orange Kenya launches festive specials:

Integrated telecommunications service provider Orange has launched a series of festive season special offers on devices.

Announcing the launch of the Christmas offers, company CEO Mickael Ghossein says the offer is an ideal opportunity to reward loyal customers and attract new ones during this period.

The Christmas promotion that will run till January 6, 2014, will see shoppers enjoy offers on various mobile and data devices, ranging from modems to data enabled mobile phones. Amongst these devices, Orange will be introducing the new Alcatel Pixi Dual SIM smartphone at a pocket friendly price of only KSh 5,999. The Alcatel T-Pop Dual SIM that will also be on offer will retail at KSh 6,959 with one month unlimited Internet access.

In addition, the Nokia 105 non-data handset will sell for KSh 1,999 and comes with KSh 5 daily airtime for on-net calls for 365 days. The handset seeks to serve the entry level market and also enhance the use of the ‘Facebook Bila Net’ service to customers who were not previously mobile data users. Facebook Bila Net allows users with very basic handsets, without internet connection or a data plan, to stay connected through this simple and affordable text based platform.

To enable customers enjoy reliable and faster internet speeds, Orange will be offering the 3G 7.2 Mbps modem at a 50% discount that will see the device retail for KSh 999 with a 500MB data bundle.