DECT 6.0 Technology
Why the Best Cordless Phones are DECT 6.0 Phones

DECT or DECT 6.0 technology is the most widely used cordless phone technology. In the U.S. it's still considered to be relatively new, but in fact it was first developed in Europe during the 1990's. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) allocated the 1.9 GHz spectrum in 2005, which opened the door to the use of DECT 6.0 technology in the U.S.

What is DECT 6.0 Technology?

DECT or Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications is a standard for digital portable phones. It was developed by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and has now been adopted globally.

Panasonic KX-TG6544B

From the perspective of a cordless phone user the key features of this technology include:

• the elimination of cordless phone interference
• secure - encrypted communication
• excellent cordless phone range - 150 feet plus
• low power consumption
• extended talk time - 12 plus hours
• extended stand-by time - 7 days plus
• interoperability of hardware e.g. handsets
• intercom facilities between handsets
• inexpensive

Cordless Phone Frequencies

Whereas the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies can be used for voice and data communication the FCC dictated that the 1.9 GHz band could only be used for voice. As a consequence DECT 6.0 cordless phones seldom encounter network congestion or interference. In particular DECT phones are immune to interference from WiFi networks using the 2.4 GHz frequency.

Contrary to popular belief, lower frequencies propagate better than higher frequencies. Hence a DECT 6.0 phone is generally a better solution than a 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz phone when cordless phone range is a concern.

Cordless Phone Technology

Until the advent of DECT 6.0 digital technology, cordless phones were manufactured using proprietary technology. It resulted in higher manufacturing costs and significant variations in product performance from one brand to another.

Consumers all over the world are hooked on DECT phones irrespective of brand. They experience few if any cordless phone problems and enjoy the freedom of using a wireless home phone.

Panasonic KX-TG6545B

Best Cordless Phones

Independent cordless phone reviews confirm that the best cordless telephones are DECT phones. Most manufacturers have added bells and whistles to the core DECT 6.0 technology. Panasonic's top end phones offer features including: call ID block, visual voicemail and Panasonic talking caller ID. VTech on the other hand is pushing the boundaries of DECT Bluetooth convergence.

Best DECT 6.0 Phones

There is no one best cordless phone for everyone, but we have arrived at a shortlist of the most popular DECT 6.0 phones.

Best Cordless Home Phone

The Panasonic KX-TG1032S is a dual handset cordless phone. The KX-TG1033S has 3 handsets and both are upgradeable to 6 handsets. It's the most popular cordless home telephone of all time. Consumers love it's features and reliability. To our knowledge there is no cordless phone with a longer talk time and it uses standard rechargeable AAA batteries.

AT&T SB67118

Multi Line Cordless Phones

The last frontier for DECT 6.0 technology - multi line telephones. Until early 2009 we couldn't find a 2 or 4 line DECT 6.0 phone anywhere. The only available options were 5.8 GHz phones. Under pressure from consumers the dam finally burst and DECT two line cordless phones were released by most manufacturers by year's end.

Under the AT&T brand name, VTech also released a highly innovative 4 line cordless phone system the AT&T SB67118. It's received glowing cordless phone reviews and appears to be winning the small business phone market from the Panasonic KX-TG4500B.

Conclusion

DECT 6.0 technology has more or less displaced competing cordless phone technologies. It's made the production of cheaper and better cordless phones possible. Within a few years all cordless phones will be DECT 6.0 phones.

---

Related Cordless Phone Reviews

Comparing DECT 6.0 Cordless Phones - Which is the Best DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone?

Motorola Cordless Phone Review - How do Motorola phones compare with other DECT 6.0 phones? They are cheap, but are they the best cordless phones?

A DECT Bluetooth cordless phone that will transfer phonebooks from cell phones to a cordless land line telephone via Bluetooth.

Visual Voicemail - it's a feature that most of us became familiar with via our iPhones. It enables users to visually scan their voicemail messages without having to listen to each and every one. It's now also available on high end Panasonic cordless phones.

How to Call Block a Phone Number - at some point in time everyone needs to call block a phone number for one reason or another. It maybe to avoid harassment, nuisance calls, telemarketers ...

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.

---

From DECT 6.0 Technology to DECT 6.0 Phones

From DECT 6.0 Technology to Cordless Phone Reviews and Ratings