O2 UK will stop providing mobile chargers with new handsets from 2015 after a consumer trial suggested more than 80 per cent of buyers would purchase phones without charging units. O2 UK conducted a three-month consumer trial in partnership with HTC, offering the One X+ device with only a detachable USB cable. Those who wanted a charger could buy one separately. 82 per cent of One X+ customers agreed to buy the handset without a charger, exceeding O2's expectations.

The operator estimates there are 100m unused chargers across the UK and is to encourage its rivals to adopt similar step to stop this number from increasing. All major handsets (except the iPhone) now use micro-USB charging connector following a European-led industry initiative.

FierceWirelessEurope: O2 UK to stop selling mobile chargers with new phones by 2015; TelecomTV content partner.