Since Samsung announced that it stopped manufacturing the Galaxy Note 7 and started the definitive return program, more than three million units have been recovered, however, there are still owners who, even having requested it again and again, are reluctant to deliver it as such. time, hoping it will become an expensive collector's item.
Samsung has started rolling out a special software update limiting the Galaxy Note 7's battery to 60% in an attempt to 'force' these owners to return a potentially dangerous phone, however New Zealand telecom companies are going to go much further disabling the phone in their networks.
New Zealand Telecommunications (TCF) CEO Geoff Thorn has confirmed that All companies in New Zealand will blacklist the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 as of November 18. Once this happens, the Galaxy Note 7 will simply be a very expensive paperweight. you will not be able to make or receive calls, send text messages or surf the internet via the mobile network.
The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum represents all companies in the country, and says this decision has been made due to security concerns raised.
"There have been numerous attempts by all providers to contact the owners and ask them to bring the phones in for replacement or refund."
Still, the Galaxy Note 7 can continue to work offline or via WiFi.
Some may consider that this is a drastic measure and that customers should have to give their authorization for it, however, let's not forget that we are facing a dangerous terminal. In fact, Samsung could make a last minute attempt to recover all the units of the Galaxy Note 7 that are still circulating through the remote deactivation, something that is not confirmed at the moment