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When people ask about cordless phone frequencies they usually want to know which is the best and why? They are looking for something that will help them compare cordless phones and hopefully find the best. With the exception of phones used by the military and a few 43-50 MHz relics from the early 90's, all cordless phones in the U.S. use one of four cordless phone frequencies. They are: 900MHz, 1.9GHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. Let's consider the big question. Which is the Best Cordless Phone Frequency?![]() When deciding on a cordless phone it's essential to address your area of greatest concern. Is it range, security, freedom from interference, handsets that can't hold a charge, voice quality, multiple lines ... ? Strange as it may sound, your answer will probably pinpoint the best cordless phone freq for you. Selecting a phone with the wrong frequency can result in endless cordless phone problems. Because of the way in which the FCC releases successive frequency ranges, each is associated with a generation or era of cordless phone technology. 900MHz cordless phone frequencies were allocated in 1990 when basic analogue phones were the bleeding edge of cordless phone technology. The 5.8MHz frequency was allocated in 2003 by which time digital technology was common in many consumer electronic products. As a consequence it's useful to talk about 900MHz, DECT, 5.8 and 2.4 phones, because it tells us something about the limitations of the technology. Cordless Phone TechnologyThe Pros and Cons of 900MHz Cordless PhonesWhen range is the most critical concern we usually recommend a 900 MHz cordless phone. When equipped with a decent antenna they can be used as an ultra long range cordless phone. On the downside 900MHz phones are often basic. They're susceptible to interference and security is next to non-existent. They are not the best option if you need to communicate confidential information over the phone. The Pros and Cons of 2.4GHz Cordless PhonesThe 2.4GHz frequency was allocated by the FCC in 1998 when the 900MHz frequency became over crowded. It heralded the introduction of digital technology, FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum), increased security and the ability for multiple handsets to share a single landline. The 2.4 frequency rapidly became over crowded. It's used by every conceivable wireless enabled device and not just cordless phones. In particular the frequency is used by WiFi networks. The result is that the 2.4GHz frequency is invariably associated with cordless phone interference. Cordless phone manufacturers are now phasing out of 2.4GHz phone production to concentrate on DECT and 5.8GHz phones. The Pros and Cons of 5.8GHz Cordless PhonesWhile the 5.8GHz frequency is not restricted to voice communication it's relatively uncluttered and cordless phone interference is seldom a problem, but there is an issue to be aware of. The 5.8GHz frequency requires more power than either the 2.4GHz or 1.9GHz frequencies. One consequence is that the cordless handsets need to be charged more frequently. To overcome this handicap some 5.8 phones only use the 5.8GHz frequency for communication from the base to the handset. On the return journey handsets use the 2.4 GHz frequency to communicate with the base. It enables them to be used for longer between charges, but exposes users to potential cordless phone interference. The Pros and Cons of DECT 6.0 TechnologyDECT 6.0 cordless phones use the 1.9 GHz frequency. The technology was developed in the early 90's. It's a non-proprietary global standard. Unlike other frequencies the 1.9GHz range is dedicated to voice communication. It's not cluttered by noise from baby monitors, microwave ovens, WiFi networks or other wireless gadgets. As a consequence DECT phones are almost immune to cordless phone interference. DECT Bluetooth convergence is the next big thing in the evolution of the cordless phone. Companies including VTech and GE are currently making the running. The sophistication of DECT technology is responsible for the popularity of the 1.9GHz frequency in the U.S and the 1.8GHz frequency elsewhere in the world. These include: tight security, low power consumption, good range and advanced digital features. Multi Line Cordless PhonesLong after DECT 6.0 phones had become the standard cordless home phone, 5.8 GHz phones still ruled the multi line cordless phone space. The manufacturers of these phones were in no hurry to make the switch to DECT 6.0 technology. They were well aware that it would open the flood gates to greater competition and cheaper phones. Before the 1.9 GHz frequency was allocated, cordless phone manufacturers needed to invest heavily in proprietary cordless phone technology to use the available cordless phone frequencies. Because DECT technology is an open standard it leveled the playing field. The effects were most noticeable in the case of multi line telephones where the level of competition has now increased substantially. The Panasonic KX-TG9392T was the first DECT two line cordless phone. It was released in late 2008. Since then they have been released by manufacturers including Philips, AT&T, Siemens and Uniden. The first DECT 4 line cordless phone was the AT&T SB67118, it was released in 2009. See the Panasonic KX-TG9381T - DECT Bluetooth Two Line Cordless Phone. SummaryWe suspect that within a few years cordless phone manufacturers will phase out production of all non-DECT 6.0 phones. It's already clear that they putting their product development effort almost exclusively into DECT 6.0 cordless phones. Progressively they are phasing out phones that use other cordless phone frequencies. Cordless phone frequencies are an important consideration when hunting down the best cordless phone for your needs, but there are other factors. When we compare cordless phones we also look at how well they're made, whether they work or not, how they look and whether they have any special features. You may require a waterproof cordless phone, a wall mounted cordless phone, a big button cordless phone or even a pink cordless phone. These are all valid reasons to choose one phone over another. Cordless Phone Frequencies - Related Cordless Phone ReviewsComparing DECT 6.0 Cordless Phones - Which is the Best DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone? How to compare cordless phones when they all use the same cordless phone technology. Panasonic Talking Caller ID - the most significant development in cordless phone technology since the DECT 6.0 cordless phone. Basic phone jack wiring is a breeze for anyone with a DIY bent and a few tools. But there are alternatives. A cordless phone or a wireless phone jack will almost certainly save time and money. How to Compare Cordless Phones - every day thousands of people compare cordless phones. Their agenda is to find the best cordless phone. It's a good idea to begin by getting specific about requirements such as how and where the phone will be used. The Best Home Phone - it has to be one of the best rated cordless phones. The days when corded telephones were the only option are long gone. Cordless phone technology has progressed and multi handset cordless phones are to be found in nearly every home. The 900 MHz Cordless Phone - remains popular with those who require the minimum of features and excellent cordless phone range. The few that are still available generally have big buttons and a loud ringer. They are excellent phones for the elderly and hard of hearing. Best Skype Cordless VoIP Phones - every year we review the latest Skype phones in the hope of finding something special. We are usually disappointed, but this year we discovered an outstanding Skype cordless phone that has left the competition for dead. Consumer Reports Cordless Phones - where you can read cordless phone reviews sent in by visitors to Cordless-Phone-Update.com and submit your own reviews or ask questions. |
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