Samsung Recalling Jitterbug Cell Phones That Don't Connect to 911

by Chad Mumm on May 29, 2009 at 11:35 AM

When you market a cell phone to senior citizens by touting a "Live Nurse" option, you'd darn well better make sure that the 911 service works. We've gotten word from The Consumerist that Samsung is recalling a batch of its Jitterbug pay-as-you-go phones because they apparently cannot reach 911 when outside of a service area.

Last Friday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released a report stating that the Jitterbug SPH-a110 and the SPH-a120 might fail to connect to 911 in some rural areas. According to FCC mandates, all cell phones must be able to connect to 911 -- even in no-service areas. Fortunately, all it takes is a free software update and your Jitterbug will be good to go.

If you bought one of these babies between March 2008 and May 2009, get thee in touch with Samsung at (866) 304-4980, or head on over to a service center at your neighborhood Best Buy. [From: The Consumerist]

Public Phones and Phone Booths of the World

Tags: jitterbug, recalled, recalls, samsung, top

Comments

speed5984May 29th 2009 5:43PM

Low Ranked

Hey Chad you should learn to spell...

March 2008 and May 2009, get thee in touch with Samsung at... should be

March 2008 and May 2009, then get in touch with Samsung at

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babyRnlizMay 31st 2009 9:58AM

Neutral

actually, thee is an old english word meaning you or yourself. The sentence basically says get yourself in touch. It is correct.

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verbqueenMay 30th 2009 6:30PM

Neutral

Speed, I think YOU need to learn to recognize a Shakespeare allusion, as in "Get thee to a nunnery..."

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NancyMay 31st 2009 10:58AM

Neutral

How would you ever know if your phone had the glitch??
Its not like you call 911 everyday? Are we supposed to call 911 to see if we get connected? Then what do we do if someone answers? Say "Oh sorry I was just testing out my phone?" Jeesh.

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chiefpeteMay 31st 2009 1:25PM

Neutral

Nancy, read the article again. If you purchased this phone between March 2008 and May 2009 contact Samsung or go back to Best Buy if you purchased it there. And Chad, you're a moron.

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PeterMay 31st 2009 1:32PM

Neutral

My apologies to Chad, Speed is the moron.

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SusanMay 31st 2009 4:32PM

Neutral

I hope they get it straightened out soon.
http://susan-livinghealthywithchallenges.blogspot.com

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hollandMay 31st 2009 5:53PM

Neutral

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T BUY CRICKET. THEY HAVE THE WORST SERVICE AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWFUL. THEIR SALES REPS ACT LIKE THEY'RE DOING YOU A FAVOR WHEN YOU ASK FOR THE SERVICE YOU PAY FOR. AND WHEN YOU CALL THE 800 NUMBER THEY REFER YOU TO THE CORP OFFICE WHO REFERS YOU TO TH E 800. AVOID CRICKET AT ALL COST!!!!!

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Anthony TrocchiaMay 31st 2009 8:02PM

Neutral

I'm getting rid of my Jitterbug service altogether. You get no free nights or weekends. When you retrieve voice messages using your Jitterbug, your minutes are reduced depending on how long you took to hear your messages. Overall, the service isn't good, though I do like the phone's simplicity.

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BillJun 6th 2009 6:34PM

Neutral

Im getting rid of Jitterbug also , appears that I was sold a service where service isnt provided on a regular basis. I called to asked why I wasnt getting service at my home and was told they have two maps that shows the coverage areas which I was not informed of before I purchased the phone and the plan.
Seems as if you cant find a honest company anywhere in the USA anymore !!!!!

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oh229Aug 14th 2009 2:30PM

Neutral

I love the simplicity of the Jitterbug but have had some problems that cannot be solved by your service evidently. Many times when I try to make a call I get a message that I do not have an account with Verizon (and/or Crickett) and the call cannot go through. When I called about this, your service representative offered no answers. Also, most annoying, the phone rings three times and if I cannot get to it in time I am left with a message, "missed call." There are no free minutes for weekends that other phone services offer. The person calling me is charged for minutes and I am charged for minutes. This makes the minutes add up fast for the profit of Jitterbug and maybe some other cell phone service. In other words, Jitterbug is no bargain to say the least. When I had to send it in recently because of 911 service problems, I was flaberghasted. How would I know if there is no 911 service??? Makes me wonder what else is wrong with this simplicity technology the Jitterbug advertises. Sorry, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this product to consumers. I plan to get rid of the service asap.

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