Sony Xperia Z3 Sales Suspended in Canada by Telus

Sony_Xperia_Z3_Telus

Telus, the Canadian equivalent of Sprint, has announced a halt in sales of the Sony Xperia Z3 due to a WiFi hotspot compliance issue. Apparently, Telus has found that the Z3 exceeds Industry Canada’s standards when used as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Not content with just halting sales, Telus has also disabled the Wi-Fi hotspot capability from already sold models remotely.

More details after the jump, including a statement from Sony.

From Sony:

 In connection with a software update, a hotspot compliance issue with the Sony Xperia Z3 has been identified. We have been working with Industry Canada to provide a solution and a software upgrade will be made available in the next few weeks once testing is completed which will address this fully. 

It’s unclear at this point if this “issue” is unique to models sent to Telus or if other carriers in Canada like Rogers, Bell, WIND Mobile, MTS and SaskTel, which are all continuing to sell the Xperia Z3 at this time, are affected by it as well. According to Industry Canada, Radio Frequency (RF) energy in devices that can create Wi-Fi like the Xperia Z3 must meet requirements

 for the safe use of radiation-emitting devices operating in the frequency range from 3 kilohertz (kHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz frequency range. 

If other carriers follow Telus, it could mean that Sony’s flagship smartphone will disappear from retail shelves until some time in late February. Telus notes that it halted sales of the Xperia Z3 due to its

 policy of putting customers first, and out of an abundance of caution. 

Discuss:

Do you think a halt in sales from Canada will harm Sony Mobile?

[Via mobilesyrup]