AT&T Inc. is introducing a cell phone charger this spring designed to be more energy efficient by eliminating the so-called phantom use of electricity in standby mode.
The Zero Charger will sense when a wireless phone is not plugged into it and stop using power from a wall socket, AT&T and Superior Communications said Wednesday.
Whether it's a wireless device charger or a computer or television, many appliances currently use standby power to run features if the power cord is plugged into a socket but the device isn't in use.
The charger, which has a five-star efficiency rating, is expected to sell for $29.99 and will be in AT&T retail stores in May, AT&T spokesman Steven Schwadron said.
It will work with many phones offered by AT&T and other carriers.
AT&T developed the charger with wireless products manufacturer Superior Communications, which is headquartered in Irwindale, Calif.
Schwadron declined to say how much it cost to develop the device or offer sales forecasts.
Shares of Dallas-based AT&T rose 6 cents to $25.91 in afternoon trading.