A cellular phone is a phone that would connect to a cellular network tower for calls and data. The current standards are 4G, and 5G with anything lower than 4G being phased out, and being replaced with 5G. While this will seem controversial, there will no longer be basic cellular phones sold in the nation. This does not matter if the phone supports all of the other requisites, but if it is not a smartphone, then it can not be sold. The nation will likely build a computer manufacturer to work on creating budget smartphones for those that otherwise can no support a smartphone. However, the cheapest phone I would consider will be $200, and this should be affordable for most.
All phones must meet the following requirements:
- 2Ghz Dual Core CPU, 4GB memory
- 128GB storage + micro-SDXC card slot
- 6″ screen when unfolded, a resolution of 350ppi
- 12MP rear camera, and 12MP front camera
- Biometric options
- USB-C charging
- Wifi-5, NFC, and bluetooth 5 capability
- 4G and 5G compatibility
- Tray eject tool for SIM 1, and micro-SD card slot
- Dual SIM capability. SIM 2 must be eSIM
- 5 years of OS/Security Updates
CPU and Ram
There will need to be a minimum of a 2Ghz Dual core CPU. While this may sound like it’s not much, that is because it isn’t much. These are minimum standards, and requirements, and designed to allow any low income household to purchase a phone, even if one at a time. 4GB is again – not much, but minimum. However, any device with just 4GB of memory can’t support AI.
Storage
On board storage must be at least 128GB of storage. This is intended for the OS and apps. However, the customer will also allow for a micro-SDXC card for up to 1TB of storage for personal files such as music, pictures, and videos. This will actually make many phones sold today as non-compliant, and therefore can not be used for government or educational purchases. However, the owner must be allowed to not have to worry about apps vs. personal files.
6″ Unfolded Screen
A 6″ screen is required. This could be something as simple as 1×1 ratio, but more likely a more rectangular ratio. In the event of a folding phone, this is the minimum size when the phone is unfolded. There must be a minimum of 350ppi for resolution. This should reduce the pixelation that a lower screen will likely have.
Cameras
A phone must have at minimum 1 12MP rear camera, and 1 12MP front camera. This is again minimum requirements for standards. There must a light on the back of the phone for low light photo taking. This rear camera light can also be used as a flashlight.
USB Charging
All cellular phones must use USB-C for charging and data transfer. Qi charging is also allowed, but at minimum, USB-C is the required standard. USB-C ports should be located at the bottom of the phone. The USB protocol is a minimum of USB3 for data connectivity.
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth, NFC and Wifi is required on all phones. This is to assure that the device will work as expected. Bluetooth is necessary for connecting earphones, and smart watches. Bluetooth can also be used for other roles as well. NFC is vital for wireless payments by phone. It is also essential for connecting 2 phones for data transfer. And Wifi-5 is required on all phones. This is even to the fact that the current standard is Wifi-7. However, by allowing Wifi-5 connectivity might help reduce the cost of the phone.
Cellular Capability
All towers must be 4G or 5G compatible. With this in mind, 3G or lower is obsolete, and will not be supported. Because of this, no phone can be sold in the nation that uses 3G connectivity. Being the age of 4G, this is likely not an issue, but it is still a part of NSC requirements.
SIM
All phones must be sold as dual SIM. This is to allow the consumer to have a Kaldan number, and a foreign service number. Another option is to have a work, and personal line. A third option is to provide for 2 Kaldan phones which a consumer might grant a separate number to people they are just meeting. These are all reasonable scenarios, and therefore would need 2 phones if the phone was not dual SIM. Next, SIM 2 must be eSIM. SIM 1 can be either nano-SIM, or eSIM. If SIM 1 is a nano-SIM, the manufacturer must provide a SIM eject tool.
Upgrades
I am sure many people have witnessed this. You buy a phone, and maybe it is a version behind. So you try to update it, and it claims that the latest version is already on the phone. This is a responsibility of both the manufacturer, and carrier. Since the cellular network is under the prevue of Ka-Tel, the carrier issue is no longer an issue. Therefore, the manufacturer is required to provide 5 years of OS updates (when possible), and security updates for at least 5 years.