Universal phone charger deal done

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Life could soon be easier for millions of mobile phone users across Europe.

A deal's been done between industry bosses and the European Commission in Brussels to work towards a 'one size fits all' charger.

It would mean an end to users having to hunt around for the right type of charger for their handset and should help cut waste.

Perfectly good chargers can often be thrown away if someone gets a new type of phone handset.

The deal isn't legally binding though and, at this stage, is only voluntary.

But it means a universal charger, which will use a micro-USB connection, should be available by next year.

Under the accord, the companies, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Apple, Motorola, Research in Motion and Samsung, are committed to developing the charger.

It will work for data-enabled mobile phones that support USB data exchange.

The 10 companies involved represent 90% of the European mobile market so the vast majority of the estimated 350 - 400 million users across the EU would be covered by any changes.

Currently there are more than 30 different types of chargers for handsets throughout Europe.

EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen says he also wants to see the common charger expand in the years ahead to cover other phones, existing phones, cameras and laptops.