Cordless Phones

About cordless phones

• What is a cordless phone and how does it work?
• What types of cordless phones are there?
• What should you look for when buying cordless phones?
• The right help for installation or problems: Mila Friends
• FAQs: The most common questions about cordless phones
• Conclusion: This is how you can find the right wireless telephone

What is a cordless phone and how does it work?

Cordless phones are now almost standard. Over the past few years, they have replaced more and more older appliances in households, businesses and government agencies. The missing cord between the telephone handset and the telephone has greatly extended the range of movement of the telephone operator. It is no longer tied to the location of the telephone, but can move to another room in the professional or private environment with the cordless device. Despite mobile devices, this business is still not talking about mobile telephony, but about fixed-line telephony, because it uses the appropriate connections and not the mobile network. 

Depending on the version, the range of the mobile devices varies and you can only stay within a certain radius of the station to maintain the connection. A so-called radio link between the station and the mobile device replaces the function of the conventional handset cord. Cordless phones have dial pad and display on the mobile part of the phone, so you can conveniently enter numbers and answer phone calls from anywhere. The telephones are connected to analogueue telephone lines or via ISDN and often a base station can be operated with more than one terminal.

What types of cordless phones are there?

In the field of cordless telephones, a distinction is made between the type of connection, the technology used or other special features. The following overview shows the details of the individual top categories.

DECT Handsets

The term DECT refers to a standard known as Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications. Since 1992, DECT has replaced the predecessor methods CT1 and CT2 as a form of wireless data transmission. DECT has now become the international standard for wireless telephony. Especially in larger building complexes, DECT holds the decisive advantage that several base stations can be used with various mobile terminals. The main advantage of DECT is that the technology only defines access to the network and not the network itself. It can be used with analogue or ISDN connections.

Cordless Big Button Phones

In this category you will find devices that have been adapted to the special needs of older people. Thus, there are functions such as hearing aid compatibility, optical call signals in addition to particularly well audible acoustic signals. A high earpiece volume often contributes to better understanding, while large and high-contrast displays make viewing easier. Large keys make it easier for older people to use the devices. In addition, speed-dial buttons with pictures of certain people make it extremely easy for people to make contact. Some phones are even equipped with a waterproof alarm trailer with hands-free function, which can be worn around the neck with a chain or band. In case of an emergency, elderly people can call for help at any time.

Cordless Analogue Phones

This category includes various variants of cordless telephones. The models share a base station with one or more mobile devices. You can select models with up to four terminals. With or without keyboard lighting, the devices often have an integrated answering machine. The base station also serves as a charging station for the mobile end devices, whose rechargeable batteries recharge when connected to the base. The addition "analogue" indicates the connection of these cordless telephones. An analogue phone line is a convenient way to assign exactly one phone number to the customer. A so-called TAE socket is installed in the building to which any analogueue telephone can be connected. In addition to the telephone, other devices such as a separate answering machine can be connected to this socket. 

Cordless ISDN Phones

The functional and optical differences to analogueue cordless telephones are small. You get combinations with one or two base stations that can be used together with one or two mobile terminals. Here too, the answering machine is partly integrated and the mobile device has a display and dial buttons. The big difference is behind the phone. Anyone using an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) connection has evolved from analogue to digital technology. The TAE socket of the analogueue connection is replaced by an NTBA device (NTBA = Network Termination Basic Connection), so that the communication between the end customer and the network operator only runs digitally. ISDN has the advantage that the network operators provide the customer with three phone numbers as standard. By means of a so-called multi-device connection up to ten call numbers can be used. 

Cordless VoIPs

These telephones are available in similar configurations as the ISDN and analogue-operated devices described above. Again, the biggest difference is in the technology behind the phone. VoIP means Voice over IP was commonly translated as "Internet telephone calls". Technically, telephoning via VoIP functions similarly to an analogueue connection, whereby the call is divided into data packets and sent over the Internet. Therefore, a DSL connection connecting the telephone and the Internet is a prerequisite for wireless telephony via VoIP. Several mobile devices can also be used here.

What should you look for when buying cordless phones?

Before you start to learn about the colors and detailed features of the devices, you should select the models according to your telephone connection. If you use ISDN, VoIP or an analogue connection, this is an important point in your decision. In addition, please note whether you want an answering machine and how many mobile devices are to be used. Families with young children are well advised with equipment designed to withstand impact and water. Other important criteria include range, battery life, and phone number storage.

FAQs: The most common questions about cordless phones

Are there cordless telephones with hands-free equipment?
Yes, almost every connection variant also contains devices that have a hands-free system. This allows you to use both hands for different jobs in the job or in the household and to have an interesting conversation at the same time. 

Can the batteries of cordless phones be replaced? 
Many brand manufacturers offer replacement batteries for the different telephone models. In the online shop, you can filter batteries according to the manufacturer you are looking for in the category "cordless telephone batteries" and order batteries.

Our practical tip: Use cordless telephone to suit your connection

Before you look at the different designs, you can set a filter in the shop for compatibility. For example, if you are using A FRITZ!BOX 7390, select it and you will only see devices that match it.    

Conclusion: This is how you can find the right wireless telephone

Make sure your existing port is compatible with the selected device. Customize the cordless phone to suit your needs, the special needs of older people, or a household with children. With the number of mobile devices you need, you can choose from a wide range of models with great detail features that will give you long-term enjoyment. 

(This text is machine translated.)