Safety concerns prompt Nokia modem recall

6.30pm

A potentially serious safety hazard that can cause an electric shock has prompted Nokia to recall of a batch of modems manufactured before June 2001.

The recall, which affects Nokia M and MW 1122 series modems used with Telecom's Jetstream service, follows a safety warning in June last year which asked users to bring their modems to Next Electronics for testing and replacement if necessary.

Nokia spokesman Anthony Wilson would not say how many modems were affected, but said even though testing showed less than one per cent of the batch had the potential to fail, Nokia had decided to recall and replace the entire batch.

Customers have been sent letters asking to check serial numbers and to ring 0800 665 426. In faulty units if the modem's power cable is pulled out from the rear of the modem, one of the pins in the modem's power socket will remain in the modem's power plug.

The letter states: "This can cause an electric shock giving rise to serious injury or even death if the power plug is handled while the cord is still connected to the wall socket and power is on."

More information at Nokia