The introduction of a universal phone charger seems to be closer than previously expected, with the latest news on the matter pointing towards the second half of the next year as the timeframe when it becomes available. Currently, each handset vendor delivers its own charger for the phones it puts on sale on the market, yet 2010 will bring a universal charger to the table, at least when it comes to the Australian market.

According to a recent article on SmartHouse, some handset manufacturers have already confirmed the upcoming availability of the charger. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has agreed with the new charger, and vendors like Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, and Nokia are set to deliver it to the Australian market. It might also help reduce the annual greenhouse gas emissions by 13.6m tons.

“This is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging. Universal chargers are a common-sense solution that I look forward to seeing in other areas,” said Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. Aldo Liguori, spokesperson for Sony Ericsson, told BBC that, “We are planning to launch the universal charger internationally during the first half of 2010. We will roll it out with new products as they launch.”

According to the GSMA, approximately 51,000 tons of redundant chargers are produced every year, due to the fact that current chargers are either brand or product specific. The new charger is also meant to be energy efficient, and consumers are expected to keep for much longer. The ITU said that a wide range of manufacturers had already announced plans to adopt it, although it's their choice whether they want to do so or not.

Australia will certainly not be the only market where the universal charger will become available, so manufacturers should soon announce that it will be adopted on other markets too.