topic Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc in Other/General

SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:15:00 GMT

The FCC compliance statement of Xperia Arc does not give the value for "body SAR". It states, "The highest SAR value for this model phone when tested by

Sony Ericsson for use at the ear is 0.66 W/kg (10g)".

Does this mean that:

The SAR value for body SAR has not been tested by Sony Ericsson
The SAR value for body SAR exceeds 0.66 W/kg (10g).

The International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), clearly specifies that the maximum SAR value has to be quoted. By not providing the total information is something being left unsaid? Sony Ericsson's SAR testing video shows both head and body SAR being measured.

I have checked and noted that for the US phones (the Arc is announced but not released there so no SAR information is available for it), both body SAR and head SAR values are quoted! Why are the "rest of the world" being treated differently? Other vendors (the mighty Apple for instance) quotes all relevant values (in fact by frequency of usage) for all countries it does business in.

I hold my decision to buy the phone (or anyother Xperia series) till I am sure I am putting my money in the right place.

Incidentally, a query I sent to Sony Ericsson via the website sent me this, "Thank for for contacting ...... Due to the Christmas Holidays the Sony Ericsson call center will be closed from 3pm on 24 December until 8am on the 27 December 2007". This for an email dated 07 Apr 2011. What's up? Feeling nostalgic about the past, are we?

Regards,

Vipul Mehta

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Zann_H — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:40:45 GMT

Actually, you have already answered your own questioned.

"the Arc is announced but not released there so no SAR information is available for it"

The rest of the world probably don't require tha information. If they did, SE would've released those information as well. :smileymischief:

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:47:16 GMT

Legally speaking, Sony Ericsson has to provide the SAR value. And when all other manufacturers are providing the value, I wonder why Sony Ericsson doesn't. Except for Merry Christmas 2007 messages, I am yet to hear offically from Sony Ericsson.

I keep my buying decision in abeyance. Maybe one less customer doesn't bother a big company.

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 08:12:15 GMT

Appears my post is equally valid for the other Xperia series devices too. What's up SE?

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Jeff — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:49:03 GMT

The official SAR Value information is available publically on our website:

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/phones/detailed/sarinformation/xperiaarc?cc=gb&lc=en

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:40:09 GMT

I checked the link you had sent. I made my orginal query pertaining to the same document the link points to. The lin does not provide the value for body SAR. It provides the SAR value for the phone held against the ear only.

Can I have the SAR value for the phone while being carried on my person. Everyother cell phone manufacturer provides the value. How come Sony Ericsson doesn't? Is it not legally required to provide this value also?

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:08:48 GMT

To elaborate on my query, please check the following link from Sony Ericsson USA.

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/phones/detailed/sarinformation/xperiaarc?cc=us&lc=en

The pdf document for SAR compliance says, "The highest SAR value as reported to the authorities for this phone model when tested for use by the ear is 0.87 W/kg*, and when worn on the body is 0.79 W/kg* for speech and 1.53 W/kg* for data calls."

Of course the data is for US FCC where the SAR is measured differently (averaged over 1g of tissue as opposed to most of the "rest of the world" which is averaged over 10g). The questions are:

Why is Sony Ericsson providing all required data for the USA, while not for the rest of the world? Incidentally, all other manufacturers I checked, comply with the requirements of the European guidelines and provide both body and head SAR.
If the phone is the same in the US and rest of the world, why is Sony Ericsson using two different compliance certificates?

I am seriously against the "rest of the world" being treated differently. Especially a company like Sony Ericsson which has business interests worldwide and does not rely only on the US market. Can someone please answer my query correctly?

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Johan — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:16:19 GMT

There are different standards for measuring SAR values on different markets. The US market has it's own standard (US FCC) for what tests that should be performed on the product.

Therefore the results and types of messurements differ.

Other market that follows the ICNIRP standard has it's own SAR document, which shows the SAR value for the product according to ICNIRP standard.

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 05:29:11 GMT

Well, I really cannot say anything if my query is refused to be answer. An email I sent to Sony Ericsson customer support also went unanswered. For the record, I do not see anywhere in the ICNIRP guideline that body SAR should not be quoted.

Sad to see Sony Ericsson go this way.

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Johan — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:52:40 GMT

I'm sorry if you feel that your question has not been answered.

We follow the standard set by the WHO, MFF and ICNIRP.

You can find more information about this on our website.

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/company/sustainability/health

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 22:30:03 GMT

Some comments about your post:

I know you are frustrated about not getting some of the information you want from SE, but leaving that aside as I believe Jeff has answered all of your questions as much as he can, it surprises me for you to say: "I am seriously against the "rest of the world" being treated differently." specially since the rest of the world or most of it have already access to buy the Xperia Arc while the US has not. I don't think the Arc will be released in the US for another few months and most likely may not happen until the end of this year if at all.

"Especially a company like Sony Ericsson which has business interests worldwide and does not rely only on the US market." In all fairness, at least with Sony Ericsson and their phone series, the US market has never been the model for SE sales as the US has always been the last market to have access to SE phone series and I don't think SE relys on the US market only. Some good examples are the Xperia X1, X2 (no US version, but it was released world wide), Xperia X10 US version (released 7 months after been released world wide), Xperia X10 mini and mini pro ( released several months later after world wide released), and the Xperia Arc and Play (The Arc first released in March in Japan as Docomo SO-01c, already released in Europe and other markets in early April, and just released yesterday April 28 in Canada), but in the US they have not been released yet. So I don't think SE has any special interest in the US market or to make them happier, at least they are not showing it that way.

With respect to the SAR requirements:

I think that the US FCC has strict regulations as you can clearly see that SE is complying with them by posting the SAR data on their website as clear as water. I think if your local state or government entity in charge of regulating this noticed any irregularities they would have done something about it and based on the links I have seen, research I have made, and reviewing the links Jeff and Johan posted, it shows that they are complying with it, so may be it is just your personal perception of the matter.

I am not an expert nor a lawyer, I am just telling you what I think.

Well, enough said...

Cheers!

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Zann_H — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:59:44 GMT

seriously speaking, i found this thread a waste of time. i don't see a valid point for it to exist. look at t this way, if some authority send an official letter to me as company asking for this type of information, we would only give information that is only necessary. see the part where i say "only necessary"? and that's coming from an authority. however if an individual send us such letter or enquiry, do we even need to respond. no. but we do, with lest than a fraction of what is necessary. why? because responding would only lead such individual more reason to ask more questions and it will be a waste of my time. and most of the time, this individuals just learn something new and think that they know what they talk about and starts trying to instill this knowledge to everyone and everything around them. cu they feel that they have the authority to do so with their new found knowledge.

companies do not have to listen to individual's rant. if they do even respond, then they're being polite.

ps: i think i said too much. lol

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 07:58:28 GMT

Thank you for your responses. I have had a few friends in the cellular industry help me out with the query. They pointed me to an IEEE document which highlights the differences in the way SAR has to be tested. Turns out the answer is quite different to what I was imagining.

Too complicated to post it all here, so I will just summarize by saying I am satisfied enough to buy the Xperia Arc.

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:00:24 GMT

Let's just say people look for different things when they buy a phone. In my line, the data I was seeking was very important. Like for some the placement of the camera key is a matter of life and death.

Re: SAR Value for Xperia Arc

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:03:12 GMT

Thank you for the clarifications. I am convinced enough to get the Arc like I have already posted. The thing is a beauty to behold and hopefully a joy forever.