Definition: DECT

(Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) A worldwide cordless phone standard that originated in Europe. The first DECT standards were introduced by ETSI in 1992, and the member-supported DECT Forum cultivates the DECT technology. DECT is not only used for cordless home phones but as wireless extensions to an office PBX where users are handed off to different base stations as they move throughout a building.

Depending on the country, DECT operates in different segments of the spectrum from 1.8 to 1.9 GHz, and phones purchased on one continent may not interoperate with DECT phones on another.

No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Interference
DECT cordless phones do not interfere with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other wireless devices that use unlicensed industrial bands (see ISM band), which is why DECT vendors boast "interference free" products. Handling up to 12 simultaneous calls, DECT transmits in 32 Kbps TDMA channels. Using dual-mode handsets, DECT phones can switch to cellular or VoIP operation (see CAT-iq). See ULE and multihandset cordless.

DECT 6.0 - Marketing, Not Spectrum

DECT 6.0 operates in the 1.8-1.9 GHz frequency band, while competing cordless phones use the higher 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands. The 6.0 is merely a brand for marketing purposes.

DECT IP Phone

This base station uses the same DECT air interface for up to eight handsets. However, the base station connects to the Internet instead of an analog phone line. See IP phone and VoIP.