Cordless Phones Buyers Guide

Cordless phone technology has come a long way in the past year. Major advances in the technology have been made. You can’t beat the flexibility that a cordless phone offers. The wireless feature allows freedom of movement that would keep you otherwise stationary and limit your ability to move around freely. It also uses radio waves instead of wires to transmit conversations to a base unit.

Increased GHz

One of the improvements seen in cordless phones is an increase in gigahertz (GHz) power. One gigahertz is a unit of frequency equal to one billion (109) hertz. This equates to billions of cycles per second. It is the unit of frequency used to measure the clock rate of modern digital logic, including microprocessors. Cordless phones now use a frequency of 5.8 gigahertz as compared to 2.4 gigahertz used a few years ago. With 5.8 gigahertz of frequency there is a lower level of noise interference. For instance, if you have a baby monitor in your home, you will get less noise interference with 5.8 gigahertz of frequency than you would from 2.4 gigahertz.

Newer cordless models use the 900 MHz frequency, the maximum level allowed by the FCC. Because the 900 MHz phones operate at a much higher and less crowded frequency, you experience less static and longer calling ranges, about 1,500-1,600 feet.

Types of Cordless Phones

You can purchase three types of cordless phones: analog, digital and digital spread spectrum (DSS). Look carefully at the package  under frequency to be sure you are purchasing a digital or digital spread spectrum phone.

Analog – Electronic signals are converted into electronic pulses with analog phones. They have been around for awhile and are the least costly. However, they lack security and those with radio scanners can easily listen into conversations. Digital phones are by far more secure to use.

Digital – Digital technology breaks down the voice of the caller into a code then translates the code back into a voice that the person on the other end can hear. They have a longer range, which allows freedom of movement without losing a call.

 Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) – Digital phones that have the ability to distribute a call across a range of frequencies. This makes it harder for people to listen in on conversations because the phone is constantly changing channels. You literally are staying on each channel just seconds at a time. These are the most expensive types of phones, but well worth it. Look carefully at the package.

Channels

In order to avoid call interference, it is best to get a multi-channel digital phone such as the digital spread spectrum phone discussed earlier. Cordless phones that can transmit on many channels use different frequencies that can handle conversations more securely.

Recently the FCC increased the number of channels allowed for multi-channel cordless phones form 10 to 25 channels. However, many digital cordless phones are allowed to offer from 40 to 60 channels. Cordless phones at the highest end of the spectrum offer 100 channels. Multi-channel phones have an additional feature that “autoscans” all channels. This autoscan feature will automatically search for available channels when the call begins and select the clearest channel available for the best reception. Many of these phones also have a memory feature that remembers which channel works best.

Battery Life

A single battery charge usually will last at least four to eight hours. Cordless phones that are feature rich usually require more power to operate properly, which shortens the life of the battery. A cordless phone can be away from its base for about two to three days per week (standby time). Dual battery phones allow use of the cordless phones for longer periods of time. It provides the ability to swap batteries without interrupting the conversation of recharging the batteries. Look for cordless phones that offer a “low battery” indicator to avoid losing the use of the cordless phone.

Pricing

You can expect to pay around £23.06 for a low-end, 10-channel cordless phone and about £230.63 for a high-end, 25+-channel feature rich phone. You will pay more for multi-channels, higher frequency, security features and other features not found on basic cordless phones. Wireless phone systems on the other hand are quite expensive costing from £461.27 to £864.90 per user.

Feature Options

Cordless phones offer a range of features if you are willing to pay for them. The more features the phone has, the more you will pay for it. Take for instance the digital spread spectrum phone, it offers “voice scrambling” as an extra security precaution to prevent anyone from listening in to conversations.

Many cordless phones offer a LCD display that displays the number dialed and the length of the call. Many phones also work with caller ID to show incoming callers. Multi-line capable cordless phones that cost a little more than conventional cordless phones are also available.

Voice dialing is a great feature for those who hate to dial themselves. You simply say the phone number to call and the phone will dial the number for you. Another neat little feature is the ability to add a headset so you can talk and move freely about, allowing for a “hands free” conversation.

Phones for PBX Systems

PBX systems are used by companies and larger corporations and now have the ability for a cordless phone to be plugged in most systems. There is not enough of range or enough channels offered to work well in a large office environment. This is a major drawback to their use.

Wireless phones on the other hand work very well in an office environment. Using a technology called “unlicensed personal communications services (UPCS), companies can create a solid phone system within the office. Wireless systems have the ability to cover from 500,000 to 4 million square feet. If you are a company or corporation looking for a wireless system, start with your current phone service provider to see what they can offer.