Nokia

Nokia warns of possible faulty handset battery

HELSINKI, Finland (AP) - Nokia Corp. warned Tuesday that up to 46 million batteries used in some of the company's handsets could be faulty and pose a risk of overheating.

The advisory applies "only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006,'' the world's largest mobile phone maker said.

Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan is one of several suppliers that have together made some 300 million BL-5C batteries.

Nokia said 100 incidents of overheating of the Matsushita-made BL-5C batteries have been reported worldwide, but added that "no serious injuries or property damage have been reported.''

"Consumers with a BL-5C battery subject to this advisory should note that all of the approximately 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery,'' the Finnish company said.

"According to Nokia's knowledge this issue does not affect any other use of the mobile device.''

Nokia said it will change all batteries subject to the advisory.

Nokia sells products in 130 countries and employs 110,000 people worldwide. In the second quarter, it sold 100 million mobile devices, claiming a 38 percent share of the global market.-AP

>>> Source: Star Online (14 Aug 2007)

Product Advisory: Nokia BL-5C battery

Dear Nokia Customer,

This is a product advisory for the Nokia-branded BL-5C battery manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan between December 2005 and November 2006.

This product advisory does not apply to any other Nokia battery.

Nokia has identified that in very rare cases the affected batteries could potentially experience over heating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge.

Nokia is working closely with relevant local authorities to investigate this situation. Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries that have collectively produced more than 300 million BL-5C batteries.

This advisory applies only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006.

There have been approximately 100 incidents of over heating reported globally.

No serious injuries or property damage have been reported. Consumers with a BL-5C battery subject to this advisory should note that all of the approximately 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery.

According to Nokia's knowledge this issue does not affect any other use of the mobile device.

Concerned consumers may want to monitor a mobile device while charging that contains a BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

While the occurence in the BL-5C batteries produced by Matsushita in the time-period specified is very rare, for consumers wishing to do so, Nokia and Matsushita offer to replace for free any BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

The BL-5C batteries which are subject to the product advisory were used with the following Nokia models or separately as accessories:

Nokia 1100, Nokia 1100c, Nokia 1101, Nokia 1108, Nokia 1110, Nokia 1112, Nokia 1255, Nokia 1315, Nokia 1600, Nokia 2112, Nokia 2118, Nokia 2255, Nokia 2272, Nokia 2275, Nokia 2300, Nokia 2300c, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2355, Nokia 2600, Nokia 2610, Nokia 2610b, Nokia 2626, Nokia 3100, Nokia 3105, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3125, Nokia 6030, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6108, Nokia 6175i, Nokia 6178i, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6270, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6631, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 6820, Nokia 6822, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72, Nokia N91, Nokia E50, Nokia E60

“Nokia” and “BL-5C” are printed on the front of the battery.

On the back of the battery, the Nokia mark appears at the top, and the battery identification number (consisting of 26 characters) is found at the bottom. If the battery identification number does not contain 26 characters, it is not subject to this product advisory.

>>> Source: Product Advisory: Nokia BL-5C battery


Nokia phone users heed this call

PETALING JAYA: If you are using a Nokia cellphone, check its battery to see if it is the BL-5C type unit.

Nokia said a batch of BL-5C batteries was prone to overheating when the phone is being recharged.

Those affected should go to the webpage www.nokia.com/batteryreplacement for instructions on how to check if their battery is from the troublesome batch.

The webpage provides pointers on how to get a replacement battery.

Nokia said the replacements would be free of charge and that the new battery would be couriered to affected users.

According to Nokia, there have been about 100 reported incidents worldwide of the battery overheating, with no instances of serious injury or property damage.

Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries and these who have collectively produced more than 300 million units.

However, the company said the advisory only applied to 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006.

>>> Source: mStar Online (14 Aug 2007)