June 22, 2008 - Martin Harrison - Your guide to DECT digital phones - Introduction to DECT

Your guide to DECT digital phones - Introduction to DECT

DECT, or Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications is a popular technology for cordless phones.

At home both in a business and domestic environment, DECT is a radio access technology, closely related to the mobile platform GSM – Global System for Mobile.

As well as compatibility with GSM, it has also been designed to work in harmony with other types of network such as PSTN and ISDN.

Originally used here in Europe, DECT phones are increasingly being adopted in foreign markets.

The history of DECT

When the first analogue cordless phones from the Far East hit the British market back in the 1980’s, people soon began to realise that the platform they used was far from ideal.

Notorious for crackly reception and interference, it was soon realised that a new digital medium was the best way to solve these issues and also improve security and portability.

And so in January 1988, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) launched DECT, a format which shaped the future of digital cordless phones.

In the mid 90s, as the technology became more advanced, DECT phones became more viable as a means of communication and gradually began to replace copper wiring in home telephone lines.

As wireless became comparable with wire in terms of cost, and given the vast demand for the service, telecoms manufacturers and providers began to develop products specifically designed to work on the wireless local loop platform which DECT phones use.

Since then, DECT has firmly established itself as the leading technology used for cordless phone technology in the world

Features of DECT
Sound Quality – Digital enhancement means that your phone calls are always crystal clear.

Flexibility - Working from a base station, DECT phone units usually come with a single handset, however, with many models, you can add additional handsets for users in other areas of the home or office.
They are an ideal solution for example if you work from home or have a large house and garden and want to be contactable at all times.

Range - The point of cordless phones is that you have the freedom to talk on the phone without trailing wires.
Most DECT phones have a range of around 300 meters (984 feet), but as new technology is being constantly introduced, this is being expanded all the time. 

Walkie-Talkie – DECT phones can be used like walkie-talkies, to converse with other handsets which are in range, potentially this handy feature could come in very handy, as well as saving you money on your phone bills. 

Battery Life – Most DECT phones have a good battery life. Top of the line models will allow for around eight hours of talk time. Some handsets have standby life of upto 100 hours.

Design – DECT phones have come a long way since their chunky, brick-like analogue ancestors. Modern models are as stylish as they practical

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