Nokia phone owners line up for battery replacement

Nokia cellphone owners lined up in various sales outlets to return defective BL-5C batteries only to be told that swapping can only be done online. Nikka Singson Abes, Corporate Communications Manager of Nokia Philippines Inc., said consumers need not to go to any Nokia branch to have their cellphone batteries replaced. “Kailangan online 'yung replacement process. At most, if they go to the Nokia store, the Nokia personnel can help them identify if their battery is part of the advisory or not," Abes said. “But in terms of asking for an instant swap, a new battery for example, hindi namin 'yun magagawa sa ngayon," she added. Nokia earlier recalled the said batteries amid fears that the defective batteries might explode while being charged. To check whether the batteries are defective, look for the BL-5C label, according to the report. An identification number is also located at the back of the battery. If one has a BL-5C battery, log on to http://www. nokia.com and click the battery replacement link. There, type in the identification number and then click submit. Nokia will send the replacement battery to the client’s residence or office address. Meanwhile, some consumers have feared using their Nokia cellphone units following the recall order. “Parang hindi ka at peace eh, habang nagcha-charge ka…may possibility na sumabog 'yung cellphone," Nokia 6600 owner Jocelyn Ronquillo told GMA News. Nokia is one of the leading cellphone makers in the country and the world. The company also produces telecommunications network equipment for applications such as mobile and fixed-line voice telephony, ISDN, broadband access, voice over IP, and wireless LAN. Nokia is by far the largest Finnish cellular phone company. - GMANews.TV