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As you shop for a new cordless phone, you may get confused by the constant listing of different frequencies, most of them labeled something-or-other Ghz. Just exactly what do these numbers mean, and more importantly, what do they mean for the performance of your cordless phone. Let’s see if we can sort the numbers out.
Today’s cordless phones usually operate on one of three different frequencies: 2.4 gigahertz (Ghz), 5.8 Ghz or 1.9 Ghz. These frequencies have different ranges, different levels of interference and different levels of voice quality. However, the “best” frequency may not be the same for everyone.
Many cordless phones in the 1990s used the 900 megahertz (mhz) frequency band. However, usage of this frequency was fairly heavy and the 2.4 Ghz band was opened for use in 1998. For a long time, 2.4 Ghz was the dominant frequency for cordless phones in the United States. However, this band became increasingly crowded as it was also used by baby monitors and microwave ovens. The virtual explosion of wireless internet usage in homes also had a huge impact as it also used the 2.4 Ghz band. Cordless phones and wireless networks do not play well together, with one or the other frequently losing connection.
This overcrowding led to the opening of the 5.8 Ghz frequency in 2003. Phones are sold in both frequency ranges, but those with known conflict at home now had a choice. If you depend on your wireless LAN at home, then it’s imperative to consider getting a 5.8 Ghz phone rather than a 2.4 Ghz system.
Yet another Ghz frequency was authorized for use in the United States in 2005. The 1.9 Ghz band is used by the increasingly popular DECT phones. These phones with digitally enhanced voice signals offer higher range than either 2.4 or 5.8 Ghz phones and do not interfere with 2.4 Ghz devices. Considering the range, sound quality and lack of interference, the best overall choice for cordless phones may be a DECT system operating on 1.9 Ghz.
Whenever you buy a cordless phone, you have a choice when it comes to the number of handsets. The most basic cordless phone comes with a single handset. Dual handset models are popular choices. Some systems come packaged with up to five handsets. Theoretically, some expandable systems could handle even more. Where do you draw the line? How many handsets do you really need for your cordless phone system?
When cordless phones first appeared, the simple fact you could walk around without a telephone cord following along made these devices wildly popular. They provided an unaccustomed freedom to the way we talk on the phone. So most early models consisted of nothing more than a base with a handset. You could walk around with the single handset until the batteries ran down, then it had to go back in the base unit for recharging. Many folks just left the handset in the base all of the time. It wasn’t the most convenient way to use it, but it ensured a fully charged battery, not to mention it helped keep track of the handset.
Dual handset phones began to appear after a short while. The original base-plus-handset configuration was still there, but an additional handset with a charger could be placed anywhere else in the home. Assuming an efficient location, this new feature meant you had to walk 50 percent less to answer the phone. It also meant that one handset or the other would probably be charged enough to talk on, so people began leaving a handset in different locations rather than returning it to the base after each call.
Cordless phone systems have continued to add handsets and it’s not unusual to see five-handset cordless phones. Usually there is a base-handset combination, then four additional handsets. This really opens up new ways to use the system. For example, you could place a handset in every room in the house for ultimate convenience. Or perhaps each person living in the house would have a dedicated handset. However you choose to parcel them out, a cordless phone with multiple handsets provides easy access to the telephone for everyone.
If you talk on your cordless phone a lot, you might be interested in getting a cordless telephone headset. There are two basic types available. Benefits include reducing fatigue and physical pain, and allowing you to accomplish other tasks while talking on the phone. By adding a cordless phone headset to your current phone, you can avoid the frustration of being able to do nothing but hold the phone during a long conversation.
Cordless telephone headsets come in two basic types. First of all, there is the dedicated headset that includes all of the functions of a phone. It normally consists of an earphone/microphone combination that wraps around your ear and a wearable compact dial pad that can hang on your clothing. The other type is an earphone/mike combo that plugs into a headset-ready handset. This second option simply adds headset functionality to your existing handset and will be cheaper than the dedicated headset.
One the great benefits of cordless phone headsets is that you can do other things while you talk. Our days are filled with seemingly endless mundane tasks that are dull, boring and absolutely necessary. Being able to have a phone conversation while we accomplish these tasks can really make them go by quickly. If you’re able to wash dishes, pick up clutter and put a few loads of clothes in the washer while chatting comfortably with a friend, it will make all that work seem easy.
Another benefit of cordless phone headsets is that they keep you comfortable throughout long conversations. More and more people are working at home, which keeps them on the phone longer. You may have set up a home office for your normal day job or you may be an outside salesperson with lots of calls to make. Many people are finding work as virtual assistants and could be providing technical support or customer service over the phone. Holding a phone to your ear for hours on end could be painful. However, using a cordless phone headset lets you talk for hours without physical discomfort.
No one would deny that cordless phones have made home telecommunications more convenient and efficient. The ability to move freely without being limited by the length of your phone cord completely changed the way we talk on the phone. And yet, there are ways to improve even more on cordless phones and their convenience. For example, a cordless speaker phone adds several new benefits. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Speaker phones have been around for a while, but they weren’t always well accepted. There were often shortcomings in the sound quality. Early models only allows for single duplex communication, which meant that while one person was talking, the other could only listen. However, speaker phone technology has advanced a great deal. Sound quality has been enhanced and everyone can talk at the same time now (which some would argue is no improvement in communication). Speaker phone technology has also shown up in cordless phone models. You can now purchase cordless phones that have speaker phones built in to the base as well as the handset.
Many people like to use speaker phones because they can do other things while talking. Assuming your other activities are not too noisy, you can usually accomplish a lot of work while having a phone conversation. For people doing business from home, a speaker phone would also allow them to look up files, type information into forms or complete other tasks during the conversation.
Cordless speaker phones also allow several people to listen to and join the conversation. There are several situations where this might come in handy. For example, when parents want to catch up with their children, both parents can listen and talk. Or business people can put together a quick conference call with several people in the room listening and contributing to the conversation.
To take advantage of advanced quality and useful benefits, look for speaker phone capability in your next cordless phone.
If you’re looking for a cordless phone that doesn’t take up precious counter or desk space, you need find a good wall-mounted cordless phone. Not only do they save space, they can be stylish as well.
Our lives are filled with gadgets. As helpful as many of our electronic devices are, they can add to the general level of clutter in our homes. Kitchen countertops often have so much stuff on them that they can’t actually be used as a countertop. Desk space is the same way, whether it’s the corner where we pay bills or our home office. So nobody wants to add a large-footprint cordless phone taking up more space. A wall mount cordless phone solves this problem by mounting conveniently on the wall instead.
If you know that you intend to mount your cordless phone on the wall, then keep this in mind when shopping. Some cordless phones are designed to be wall-mounted from the beginning. They have a big advantage over phones that just happen to have some screw holes in the back. When a phone is designed for the wall, it tends to have a much lower profile and is less likely to be in the way. Standard cordless phones tend to stick out too far and may not stay mounted as well.
Wall-mounted cordless phones can also be a great style choice. Models from General Electric come in sleek black finishes that fit in with any décor, as well as stainless steel finishes that are perfect for hanging in the kitchen.
Finally, wall-mounted cordless phones are the perfect choice for areas like utility rooms and garages. Putting the phone on the wall keeps it out of harm’s way when you’re using tools and moving around heavy items.
All in all, cordless wall mount phones do exactly what we want from our gadgets. They make our telecommunications convenient and otherwise stay out of our way.
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