Digital telephones and answer phones
Digital technology has made the home telephone a more sophisticated machine, with a clearer sound and additional features. All the digital phones we sell are cordless, and some incorporate an answer phone.
What’s the difference between digital and the (older) analogue phones?
As with analogue phones, digital phones still transmit on a radio frequency but suffer from less interference. Conversations are clearer and their range is usually wider. They’re sometimes referred to as DECT phones, which stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications.
Up to what range do they operate?
Most models operate up to 300m outdoors and 50m indoors, so you can use them, for example, in the garden. Factors, including the weather and any physical obstacles, may reduce their effectiveness.
What extra features can you get on them?
Lots! The most useful benefit is that you can use up to 4 handsets from the same base unit; for example, use one phone in the hallway, another in the bedroom, etc. You still have the base unit, which connects to the phone socket, but the other handsets just need to run off a mains socket.
Most digital phones are also ‘GAP compatible’, which means you can use any compatible handset with any base unit: e.g. a Panasonic GAP handset will work with a BT GAP compatible unit.
Some let you send SMS (text) messages to other SMS-compatible phones, including mobile phones. You can even call contacts from your mobile phone. Other features can include a longer battery life, out-of-range indicator, choice of ring tones, hands-free calling – even Caller ID, which lets you see who’s calling before you answer (or don’t!)
What’s the benefit of a digital answering machine?
Again, you have improved sound quality and faster retrieval speed, but you also don’t have to bother with a tape. Often they come with a pre-recorded message if you’re not keen on recording your own!
What about video phones?
These let you make video calls via broadband to other video phones. You view the caller on a small screen, though you’ll only receive a picture if they have a video phone or a PC with a web cam.
Glossary: corded and cordless telephones, answerphones and two-way radios
A ‘broader’ band of frequencies that transmit a larger and wider range of information, both sound and pictures, via multiple signals.
Additional handsets Extra DECT phones you can use around the home. These are not plugged into a phone socket but link cordlessly to the main base station.
Built-in speakerphone Lets you talk on the phone without picking up the handset
Caller display Providing the caller doesn’t bar their details, you can see their name and number if they’ve been stored in your directory.
Caller memory Store names and numbers and recall them easily so you don’t have to dial them again
Call log Records incoming calls so you can recall them quickly. Some phones list outgoing calls too
Call screening Listen to the message via loudspeaker before deciding whether to pick up the phone
Call timer View how long in seconds the call is lasting
Call waiting Alerts you to another person trying to call you. This is a service provided by the network (often chargeable – check with provider) and the phones need to be compatible.
Channels Most two-way radios have between 5-10 channels, which are the frequencies the radios operate on. Similar to tuning a radio you select a channel for the best reception – or so you don’t pick up other people’s radios.
Conference calls Some phones have a two-line capacity, meaning you could use both lines for a three-way conversation.
DECT DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) is a digital wireless technology which is now being adopted increasingly worldwide. Its key benefits are high speech quality with less interference and increased range
GAP compatible You can use more than one phone from the same base station – e.g. have one phone in the hallway, another in the bedroom, etc. Any GAP compatible handset will work with any base unit – e.g. a Panasonic GAP handset will work with a BT GAP compatible handset
Hands-free Allows you to talk on the phone without picking up the handset.
Hot keys/speed dialling Store important or frequently dialled numbers and recall them by simply dialling a short code (e.g. *1 instead of the whole number or even a single button on the phone).
Internal call function You can make internal calls to another handset operating off the same number – even when another handset is being used for an external number.
Last number redial At the touch of a button you can automatically redial the number. Useful when the line is engaged.
Mute button Allows you to speak to other people in the room in private without the caller hearing.
Page button For use with multiple handsets operating off the same number. At the touch of a button you can alert another person or find a missing handset!
Range Some cordless phones have a range of up to 300m from the base unit, meaning you can use them outdoors.
Two-way radios have a range of up to 2 miles, depending on any physical obstructions. Many models have an alert signal to warn you when the reception is becoming weak.
Recording time Maximum length of time answerphone message will be recorded.
Remote access facility Lets you listen to your answerphone messages if you’re away from home via another phone.
Ring tones You can personalise your phone with a choice of tones. There’s a host of websites and services that let you customise your phone with the latest hit or favourite theme tune. (There is a charge for this).
Standby The time the phone can be left off the charger (when not in use) before needing a recharge.
SMS capable You can send text messages from your phone to another SMS phone.
Talk time This is how long you can use the cordless phone for, once it’s been fully charged.
Voice Dialling Voice dialling feature lets you make a phone call by saying a voice ‘tag’ that’s been linked to the desired phone number. The ultimate in hands-free operation, you can simply utter a name or number and the phone automatically makes the call.
VoIP telephones
VoIP – or Voice over Internet Protocol – is a phone that operates via the internet and not via the conventional telephone socket.
As with the internet you subscribe to a provider. You normally need to install their software onto your PC but with some models you can just connect them to the PC via a USB cable and start dialling.
What are the advantages?
Mainly price. If you call someone who’s on the same provider as you are (e.g. Skype™) your calls are free – from anywhere in the world. Receiving or making calls from/to other networks will incur a charge but these are very small.
Are there any disadvantages?
You normally need to have the PC switched on, so if there’s a problem with your PC, or with your broadband connection, you may not be able to use it. It’s also not recommended to use one for an emergency call as calls are not traceable. It’s a good idea to have a mobile or normal landline as back up.
Can I keep my old number?
Usually. You may, however, be able to have a number based anywhere in the world. For example, if you work abroad you could give your number a UK dialling code, so your British-based friends would avoid making international calls – and vice versa.
Can I use it anywhere?
Yes. As it’s connected to your PC, simply take it with you anywhere in the world and it will still work.
What do the handsets look like?
Basic models look and behave the same way as conventional handsets, with LCD screen, name and number directories. There are hands-free and cordless models also available.
What’s the quality of the call like?
You and the person at the other end of the line shouldn’t hear any difference. The VoIP phone even rings like a normal phone.
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| Digital cordless phones |
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Corded phones |
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Two-way radios |
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| View our range of digital cordless phones: some have extra handsets you can use around the house. |
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View our range of corded phones. These include models suitable for less-abled people |
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Roger Wilco Over and Out! See our range of two-way radios |
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John Lewis Partner quotes
"If you’re hard of hearing, we have a number of phones with a voice enhancer so that you can improve the clarity and volume of your caller’s voice."
Ian, Audio & TV, John Lewis Milton Keynes
"If you’ve family abroad why not buy 2 VoIP phones, keep one and send them the other? You’ll then be able to speak to each other anytime, for free."
Bridget, Buying office, John Lewis