Can Vestager spike Lightning?
- Author:Ella Cai
- Release on:2018-08-09
The renowned EU fines supremo Margrethe Vestager (pictured), who recently imposed the $5 billion fine on Google, may be after Apple for its use of its Lightning charger cable connector.
‘Given the unsatisfactory progress with this voluntary approach, the Commission will shortly launch an impact assessment study to evaluate costs and benefits of different other options,’ says Vestager.
The voluntary approach kicked off in 2009 when 14 phone companies including Apple signed an agreement to standardise charger cable connectors for the 2011 market.
In 2012 Apple introduced its Lightning connector.
Non-standard charger connectors generate 51,000 tons of waste annually, says the EU.
The very high price (£7+) of Lightning cables generates huge profits for Apple.
The EU favours the universal adoption of the USB-C standard.
‘Given the unsatisfactory progress with this voluntary approach, the Commission will shortly launch an impact assessment study to evaluate costs and benefits of different other options,’ says Vestager.
The voluntary approach kicked off in 2009 when 14 phone companies including Apple signed an agreement to standardise charger cable connectors for the 2011 market.
In 2012 Apple introduced its Lightning connector.
Non-standard charger connectors generate 51,000 tons of waste annually, says the EU.
The very high price (£7+) of Lightning cables generates huge profits for Apple.
The EU favours the universal adoption of the USB-C standard.
