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Africa to ban Import of all Used Mobile Handsets |
axxxr
Joined: Mar 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Londinium
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Via: realtechnews
Looks like yesterday’s cell phone is no gift for anyone, including poor African nations like Nairobi. The used phones are so poorly suited to the needs of the region, that the government is actually considering a ban.
“The Government will soon ban importation of second-hand mobile handsets. Information and Communication Minister Raphael Tuju made the declaration on Wednesday as he cautioned GSM manufacturers to stop dumping old phones in the local market. “I wish to note that measures are being put in place to ensure that dumping of old mobile handsets in the country in the name of refurbished phones is abolished,” said Tuju.
“He said a similar measure was being considered for software systems used to tamper with handset serial numbers. Tuju’s assistant, David Were, delivered the minister’s speech during a ceremony to officially launch the LG GSM range of phones at a Nairobi hotel.
“He asked manufacturers to import handsets with high water and dust efficiencies and longer battery life.
“Analysts says the cheap refurbished handsets represent the flip side of the taxation coin after the Government zero-rated tax on the items to enhance the GSM market. The ceremony was attended by LG Electronics Nairobi Office General Manager Woo Won Na and XCOM Kenya Managing Director Bernard Shomba.”
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methylated_spirit
Joined: Jul 07, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Bonnie Scotland
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If they are no good why dont they sell them...
Hello, Scroto!
U.G.L.Y. You ain't got no alibi, you ugly! |
Pradhika
Joined: Jan 11, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: India
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So those used handsets may move else some(who knows)where.
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carkitter
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Auckland, NZ
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Apparently these refurbished handsets come from the U.S.
California throws away 44,000 handsets every day, prompting Governor Schwarzenegger to sign into law the Cell Phone Recycling Act, which from July 2006 will make it mandatory for mobile phone retailers to take back old phones.
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dgilmartin
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Dublin, Ireland Ph
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Carkitter, That sounds a bit unrealistic that the US throws away 44,000 handsets a day. I'd say its more like monthly.
44,000 x 365days means that they throw away 16,060,000 per year.
There are 275,000,000 people living in the US. That would mean that 1 in 17 people throw a mobile away every day!
If thats true, thats Sick!
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carkitter
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Auckland, NZ
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You have a point, it does sound far-fetched.
I copied that info word for word from a magazine article. I checked it 3 times, that's what it says. It must be monthly or yearly.
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dgilmartin
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Dublin, Ireland Ph
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lol 
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Posted: 2005-07-05 15:58
All the Way! Looking for a 
