Nokia Australia set to admit to phone defects - News - Communications

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Nokia Australia set to admit to phone defects

By Andrew Colley, 0
March 04, 2002
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Nokia-Australia-set-to-admit-to-phone-defects/0,130061791,120263816,00.htm

Nokia Australia appears to be closer to admitting that its popular 8210 handset carries a design fault.

Nokia Australia has consistently rejected allegations made by hundreds of ZDNet Australia readers that it has knowingly sold phones carrying design defects, claiming that the display problem does not effect a significant number of customers.

According to a report from Associated Press, its Finnish parent company today confirmed that the display in a batch of the phones manufactured at the end of 2001 carry faults. The company is claiming that the display problems are triggered by cold weather and "bright light".

For now, Nokia Australia is clinging to hope offered by the wording of the reports.

A spokesperson for the company said the statements issued in Europe "only apply to units sold in the Nordic region and primarily in Sweden". However, leaving itself an avenue to reverse its position spokesperson added, "we will advise should this situation change."

The alleged faults are currently the subject of an investigation by the NSW government Department of Fair Trading.

The department said it has received large number of complaints regarding the handsets.

Late last year, ZDNet Australia reported that a former employee had come forward supporting the allegations. Contradicting the company's statements he alleged that the company had been aware of that the design faults affect a broad range of Nokia handsets built after the company retired the Nokia 2110.

The former employee's allegations lent credibility to reports from Nokia customers and mobile phone suppliers, claiming to have witnessed unusually high rates of failure amongst Nokia 8210s.

"I bought 18 Nokia 8210s in December last year and not long after I had to return 5 because the wires connecting the hands free socket to the base of the phone were never connected properly. Subsequently I have sent 7 phones back to have their LCD screens fixed," said Melbourne-based IT Manager, Martin Curlis.

In damage control today, Nokia Australia refused to comment on the likelihood of link between the faults exhibited by 8210 handsets in Europe and Australia.

"It has to be investigated," said Nokia spokesperson Antony Wilson. "We'll wait and see what results from that."

The department of Fair Trading has so far failed to respond to requests for comment.