Introduction to Digital Cordless Phones and Buying Guide
Modern Digital Cordless phones for the home are becoming more and more like mobile phones in that they have several features not found in traditional phones. A Digital Cordless Phone (DCP) normally has an outdoor range of 300m and includes a base station and one or more handsets. It employs radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit signals from the handset to the base station. There is often very little interference with DCPs, they use encryption so that no one else hears you conversation and they often come with an in-built answering machine.
What to look for when buying a DCP:
• MAINS POWER: Keep an additional ordinary phone for emergency use in case of a power failure
• TYPE: Most people go for DECT models which are more secure than the DSS models
• ANSWERING MACHINE: If you need one
• COMFORT: Shouldn’t be too small or too heavy to hold
• MULTIPLE HANDSETS: For large a house, a model that supports multiple handsets is useful
• Also models with dial pad and speaker on the base allow you to make calls from the base
• HEADSET: A model with a headset connection can be handy to make long calls or to make notes during calls
• SMS: Models that you to send and receive SMSs
• KEYPAD: Look for clearly labeled, large keys and a backlit keypad, which is handy if you need to use the phone in poor light
