Business Line
  
New Delhi, Aug 16: World’s largest mobile handset maker Nokia has issued an advisory that there could be defects in about 46 million batteries used in some of its handsets sold wordwide.

 The defect pertains to handsets having BL-5C battery manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co Ltd of Japan between December 2005 and November 2006.

Some of these handsets may have been sold in India too but Nokia India said that it was too early to give an estimate on the numbers.

Nokia has offered to swap these BL-5C battery free-of-charge making it one of the largest recall in the electronics industry.

Overheating

The defect came to light after about 100 mobile users across the globe complained of overheating.

“Nokia has identified that in very rare cases the affected batteries could potentially experience overheating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge. Nokia is working closely with relevant local authorities to investigate this situation,” said a press statement.

Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries that have collectively produced more than 300 million BL-5C batteries. The advisory applies only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006.

Monitor when charging

“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,” said a Nokia statement.

“Nokia” and “BL-5C” are printed on the front of the battery and users can check online through Nokia web site whether their batteries are affected or not.