Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Update, Latest News: Unreturned Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Handsets In New Zealand Will Be Disconnected By Mobile Networks

Remaining Samsung Galaxy Note 7 users from New Zealand who are yet to exchange their phones are advised to do so within the next coming weeks. If not, the users' phone will be disconnected to any of Kiwi's cellular network starting November 18. This move, as stated by Samsung is part of the company's commitment to ongoing user safety. The Korean company wished to extend to their users that they are planning to discontinue cellular network service for Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices.

Starting November 18, the company said that  Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners who are still holding on to their phone will no longer be able to connect to any New Zealand mobile network services to make calls, use data or send SMS messages. Telecommunications Forum chief executive Geoff Thorn said in an interview that most of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 that were sold in New Zealand have been returned or exchanged. However, there are still a few hundred Galaxy Note 7 that are still in use.

Blocked Samsung Galaxy Note 7 units can still be used via WiFi but it will not function organically as a phone. The Kiwi authorities are expected to use the IMEI (hardware identifier), this device is the same device that telecoms are using in blocking stolen phone rendering them useless.

Even with only a few of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 units left in the hands of users in New Zealand, local telecom providers are not taking any chances. Authorities wants to ensure the safety of the users by blocking the phones to avoid any flameouts or explosions from the device. However, even with this move by New Zealand it could not become a precedent to future actions by other countries. Meaning do not expect other nations to follow the safety procedures of the Kiwis, though it is still a possibility.

At the end, the prerogative to hand over the controversial handsets falls into the hand of the users. Telecom companies can only do so much in trying to convince owners to turn in their smartphones. 

Stay tuned to SWR for more updates and latest news on Samsung Galaxy Note 7.