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CTIA To Phone OEMs: Standardize, Standardize, Standardize!

One of the issues plaguing the wireless industry is a broad proliferation of connection ports on mobile phones. Proprietary ports mean consumers have less choice when it comes to finding replacement hardware. Now, the CTIA says enough is enough. It says all phones must have 3.5mm headphone jacks and microUSB charging/data ports by 2012.

This mandate by the CTIA is music to my ears. If there's one thing I can't stand, it is dealing with the insanity of proprietary ports on phones. Samsung and Sony Ericsson, for example, are two of the worst offenders, with proprietary ports that are completely incompatible with any phones other than their own. Other phone makers, such as Nokia, are still using pin-style power ports in addition to separate ports for data. Enough.

The CTIA is behind an initiative to make microUSB the default charging/data port on all mobile phones no later than 2012. This means consumers will be able to mix and match cables with different hardware and not be stuck with one company's hardware.

"By simplifying input and output features on mobile devices, economies of scale will reduce consumers' costs," said CTIA president Steve Largent.

In addition to the microUSB port for charging and data transfer, the CTIA also wants headphone jacks standardized. Many of today's mobile phones still use the 2.5mm headset jack. The standardized size for most media players -- including laptops, PCs, Zunes, iPhones, etc. -- is the 3.5mm headset jack. By having two different jacks supported by today's phone makers, it leads to confusion with consumers.

Standardizing to 3.5mm is the right move, and one I am glad to see garner industry support.

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