CTIA–The Wireless Association Announces Industry Support to Simplify Input/Output Features on Mobile Devices

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CTIA-The Wireless Association® today announced the wireless industry’s support for broad adoption of two input/output features on mobile devices: the 3.5 mm audio plug for earbuds/headphones and the micro-USB format for connecting to peripheral devices, such as chargers, laptops, and netbooks.

“This initiative builds on the wireless industry’s earlier decision to support a universal charger solution and both initiatives will ultimately provide benefits for our consumers. By simplifying input and output features on mobile devices, economies of scale will reduce consumers’ costs”

The initiative is intended to streamline and enhance the customer experience by reducing the number of audio and data connectors for the majority of new wireless devices introduced to the market after January 2012. The adoption of common interfaces for input/output features extends the consumer-friendly and environmentally-focused universal charger solution that the wireless industry announced in April 2009.

“This initiative builds on the wireless industry’s earlier decision to support a universal charger solution and both initiatives will ultimately provide benefits for our consumers. By simplifying input and output features on mobile devices, economies of scale will reduce consumers’ costs,” said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association.

Device manufacturers can support the initiative by adopting any one of the three approaches outlined below:

• Support the USB Micro-B receptacle for charging and for data transfer, and support the 3.5 mm mini plug for audio input/output for earbuds/headphones and microphones.
• Support the USB Micro-AB receptacle for charging and for data transfer, and support the 3.5 mm mini plug for audio input/output for earbuds/headphones and microphones.
• Support the USB Micro-AB receptacle for charging and for data transfer, and for acting as a host to USB digital headsets.

CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers. www.ctia.org