Regulator bans sale of Samsung Galaxy Note 7

18 September 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa has followed the lead of a number of countries – including the United States of America – to ban the sale of all Samsung Galaxy Note 7s.

The decision by the government, confirmed by the Office of the Regulator yesterday, follows concerns about the risk of the battery causing fire.

“The Office of the Regulator has decided to halt all type approvals of Samsung Galaxy note 7 for sale here in Samoa,” a statement said.

“This is as a result of concerns raised as a result of international reports of Galaxy Note 7 devices exploding from faulty battery packs." 

“The Regulator’s decision to halt the type approval for Samsung Galaxy note 7 devices mean that any retailer proposing to sell these devices in the country will not be issued type approval to sell these devices." 

“This is pursuant to the Regulators powers under Section 60 of the Telecommunications Act 2005 and the Regulator’s order No 2011/02 that gives the Regulator the power to type approve any telecommunications equipment that will be directly or indirectly connected to a telecommunication service.”

Elsewhere, the U.S. regulators issued an official recall of Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 phone on Thursday.

Samsung already has voluntary recalled the devices after a few dozen devices exploded or caught fire. That was out of about 2.5 million phones sold.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman, Elliot Kaye, blasted Samsung for trying to do the recall on its own, saying that anyone who believes that to be adequate "needs to have more than their phone checked."

Kaye said about 1 million devices are affected.

The recall comes at a crucial time for Samsung, as its rival Apple just announced its own latest versions of the iPhones, which go on sale Friday. The Note series is one of Samsung's most expensive, and demand for the phone had been high.

U.S. aviation safety officials also have taken the unusual step of warning airline passengers not to turn on or charge the phone during flights, or put them in checked bags.

Back in Samoa, the statement said the Regulator will resume its type approval of this device once it has independently verified that it is safe for consumers. 

“There have also been reports of a global recall of the Device and the Regulator encourages retailers who have imported the device to make use of the recall."  

“For any clarification people are encouraged to contact the Regulators office on telephone 30282.”

18 September 2016, 12:00AM
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