Jitterbug cell phones being recalled

[Mini]

Recall: 'Jitterbug' cell phones might not call 911
AP
Wed May 27, 10:24 am ET

WASHINGTON – Samsung is voluntarily recalling thousands of "Jitterbug" cell phones because they may fail to connect to emergency 911 service when out of range, according to federal regulators.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the recall involves about 160,000 Samsung phones.

When the phones are in a no-service area and display an "out of range" message, they could fail to connect to 911, the agency said.

A Federal Communications Commission rule requires that a wireless phone have the capability to reach a 911 center even when out of service range. The phone should be able to piggyback off another service provider in the area to get to 911.

The company is contacting consumers directly to schedule a free software upgrade.

Consumers can call Samsung at 866-304-4980 if they have not already been contacted.

The phones were manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America, based in Texas. They were sold between March 2008 and May 2009 for about $150.

The model numbers are: SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 with standard key pads and version BB14 software.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090527/ap_on_re_us/us_cell_phone_recall_1

[Airbuswife]

what about all the other cel phones that are "out of range" and cant connect to 911????

[SLance68]

what about all the other cell phones that are "out of range" and cant connect to 911????

Have you tried to call 911 when it shows out of range? All cell phone carriers are required to make the phone piggy back off another carrier to reach a 911 center. If yours does not then I would contact my carrier and ask them why it doesn't work. It is kind of like when someone's landline phone is shut off or disconnected and has no dial tone - you can still call 911 from that phone. Those are rules from the FCC regarding 911 service.