Whether it is through the micro-cell site when we are at sea, or the local carrier in port, I have no problem accessing local GSM networks on T-Mobile.

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More reliability would have come from water-proof substations, building-centric Bloom fuel-cell power and local micro-grids.

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The project aims to establish cell-phone based carbon micro-credit systems, using a simple message service to allow families to monetize the carbon offsets they produce.

WSJ: Unlocking Africa's Energy Potential

The cell phone guys are Intel , Advanced Micro Devices and STMicroelectronics .

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Just about every other cell phone and tablet maker uses the industry standard and interchangeable micro-USB cables.

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Travellers will have to wait until this autumn to get their hands on the most anticipated fuel cell-powered charger, when US-based retailer Brookstone unveils its micro-USB power charger.

BBC: Four ways to revive a dying mobile phone

Before my serendipitous encounter, I had my eye on the Motorola 89442N Universal External Cell Phone Battery, a pack about the size of a phone with a bantam micro-USB arm.

ENGADGET: IRL: Rayovac Mobile Power Pack, a TomTom car charger and cleaning a DSLR sensor