Whilst looking for your next business phone, you may have come across various DECT phones online, but what exactly are DECT phones?
DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) phones are wireless phones that link up to a base system which means you have the freedom to walk around with the device and not be restricted by wires like you would be on a corded phone. Essentially, it is an industry term for the more commonly known, cordless phone handset. In this article, we are going to discuss how DECT phones work, how secure they are, the advantages and disadvantages of DECT, and conclude which office phone systems would be best for you.
How does a DECT phone work?
To understand how DECT phones work, it’s a good idea to make yourself familiar with its two components, the fixed base station, and the portable handset. For the phone to work, the base station forms a link between the telephone and internet connection and the handsets, with the two components constantly communicating with each other. To communicate, the base station sends a “beacon signal” which indicates the proximity of a device and provides it with the required information to perform a task. This beacon signal is then received by a handset within the vicinity which is when the phone ultimately rings.
How secure is a DECT phone?
DECT phone security has come a long way in recent years and is now said to be one of the highest standards of security in communications. This is a far cry from its earlier predecessors that had little to no security, meaning conversations could have potentially been intercepted. The latest DECT devices have built-in encryption technology with the standard being 64-bit encryption, while some manufacturers use even higher rates. This level of encryption prevents eavesdropping and means that no other device would be able to make sense of your conversation if it attempted to intercept a call.
What are the pros and cons of a DECT phone?
Like everything, there are both advantages and disadvantages that are associated with the DECT phone which we have highlighted below:
Advantages:
- DECT phones are known for their reliability and resistance.
- DECT has a high level of security and less susceptible to interception.
- Longer battery life.
- DECT provides better coverage than WiFi.
- Long range (up to 50m indoors and up to 300m outdoors).
Disadvantages:
- Need a constant power supply to work.
- Lacks scalability- isn’t suitable for large-scale businesses.
- Easier to misplace.
- Very basic- no additional services.
How does a DECT phone compare to HiHi?
Although a popular phone choice, DECT phones are typically used in a home environment or for smaller businesses purely because they aren’t a very scalable solution. Whereas cloud-based business phones such as HiHi are generally more flexible, scalable, and reliable than cordless phone handsets. The HiHi phone system includes multiple products and services such as video calling, call forwarding, call recording and on-hold marketing, to name a few. In comparison, caller ID and voicemail are as advanced as the DECT phone gets in terms of its additional features.
So, which phone is best for your business?
When deciding on which phone is best for your business, a lot of different factors will come into play, so the answer to this question depends on your business’ needs. DECT phones are a good option if you are frequently on the move and need a phone that can travel with you easily. As explained above however, they do lack many of the more beneficial functions and add-ons that are available with phones such as HiHi.
If you’re sure that a DECT phone is the right choice for your business, 4Com offers three different varieties; the Gigaset R650, Gigaset S750H and the Gigaset S650H. These phones could be a great addition to your office phone setup.
Find out about the multiple business phone systems that 4Com offer, and which phone system would be best suited for your business here: https://www.4com.co.uk/business-phone-systems/
About 4Com
We are here to cater to your business’s communication needs, from broadband internet services to business phone systems. Whether it’s for large corporate offices, restaurants, hotels, dental practices, recruitment agencies, healthcare services or any other industry, we can help. Get in touch today.
