Samsung has issued a worldwide recall of all Galaxy Note7 devices and the company has made efforts to ensure that all of its fire-prone phones have been accounted for. However, some users have failed to heed the company’s warnings and have kept using their devices. In a new effort to make sure users return the defective devices, Samsung will now disconnect the Note7 phones from mobile service.
Samsung has set up return and exchange booths at airports, in stores, and in popular malls all around the world. The company has even issued fire-proof bags to make sure that Note7 devices get returned. Now, the South Korea giant is taking another step and blocking some handsets from connecting to carriers’ networks. The first country to see such action is New Zealand, where users have until November 18th to return their device or they’ll stop working as phones. In a note on its website Samsung said:
As part of our commitment to ongoing safety, Samsung would like to make our customers aware of plans to discontinue network service for Note7 devices. From the 18 November, customers still using the Note7 will no longer be able to connect to any New Zealand mobile network services to make calls, use data or send SMS messages.
Note7 devices have also been barred from flying in most parts of the world, and Samsung has said that all returned devices will be destroyed.
The company is making efforts to put the entire fiasco behind it and is focusing on the future Galaxy S8 device, expected to be announced early next year. In an effort to win customers back, the company has already announced some campaigns that will see disgruntled Note7 users receive a 50% discount on the upcoming Galaxy S8.
Source: Samsung NZ Via: The Inquirer