Picture a nurse halfway through a twelve-hour shift. She is checking on a patient at one end of the ward when the desk phone at the nursing station starts ringing at the other end. By the time she gets there, the caller has hung up. Was it the pharmacy? A worried family member? A doctor with an urgent update?
Moments like this happen every day in hospitals, hotels, warehouses, stores and factories, anywhere people do their jobs on their feet instead of at a desk. The fix is simple: put the phone in their pocket. The question is which kind of phone, and that is where DECT comes in.
Two Ways to Stay Mobile at Work
When it comes to staying connected on the job, businesses usually choose between two approaches.
Bring your own device
With a bring-your-own-device approach, employees use their personal smartphones with a business app such as E-MetroTel’s InfinityOne or Infinity 3065. This works well for office workers and mobile professionals who already carry a smartphone all day.
Company-provided wireless phones
In healthcare, retail, manufacturing and hospitality, company-provided wireless phones are often the better choice. Every employee gets the same reliable, easy-to-use and secure handset, and the business stays in control of its devices. For our nurse, that means a phone that is always on her, always charged, and always connected to the ward.
What Is DECT?
DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications. It is a proven wireless standard designed specifically for voice calls. A DECT system uses base stations placed around your building and lightweight handsets that connect to them, much like a cordless phone at home, but built for business.
DECT uses its own dedicated radio frequencies, separate from Wi-Fi. In North America, it is often called DECT 6.0. Because it was designed for voice, it is a popular choice for businesses that need dependable calling across a facility.
Why DECT Works So Well for Businesses
Your team stays reachable everywhere
Employees can move freely around the workplace without missing important calls. Response times improve, and fewer calls go unanswered.
Clear calls without Wi-Fi interference
Because DECT runs on its own frequency band, it does not compete with your Wi-Fi network. That helps keep calls clear and reliable, even in large buildings, warehouses and multi-story facilities.
Security built in
Business DECT systems support authentication between each handset and the base station, along with encrypted communication, which helps keep your calls private.
Cost-effective and long-lasting
DECT avoids the cost of cellular plans for on-site staff. Handsets offer long battery life, so there are fewer interruptions for charging, and DECT works with your existing phone system, which protects your current investment.
Easy to integrate and grow
E-MetroTel DECT solutions work with our on-premises, virtualized and cloud phone systems. One system supports many handsets, so adding more as your business grows is quick and simple.
DECT Compared with Wi-Fi Phones
Wi-Fi phones are another option for wireless calling. Here is how the two generally compare:
| DECT phones | Wi-Fi phones | |
|---|---|---|
| Radio frequencies | Dedicated to DECT | Shared with other Wi-Fi traffic |
| Effect on your data network | Separate from it | Uses your wireless network |
| Network planning for voice | Base stations placed for coverage | Wi-Fi often needs tuning for voice quality |
| Battery life | Typically long | Varies by device and usage |
| Best suited for | Dependable on-site calling | Sites with voice-ready Wi-Fi |
E-MetroTel DECT Handsets
E-MetroTel offers two DECT handsets. Both work with hands-free headsets, which is ideal for staff who need their hands free while they talk.
Infinity 277
The Infinity 277 DECT phone is a streamlined handset with a large, easy-to-read screen and up to 22 hours of talk time. A great fit for healthcare, hospitality, retail and offices.
Infinity 577
The Infinity 577 rugged DECT phone is built for industrial and outdoor environments, designed to stand up to tough conditions in warehouses, factories and outdoor sites.
How to Plan a DECT Rollout
- Map where people work: wards, floors, stockrooms, loading docks and outdoor areas.
- Plan coverage: our team helps decide how many base stations you need and where to place them.
- Choose handsets: the Infinity 277 for everyday use, the Infinity 577 for tough environments, or a mix of both.
- Connect and test: handsets join your E-MetroTel phone system, and coverage is checked in every key area.
- Grow as needed: add handsets or base stations as your team or building expands.
The bottom line
When your people work on their feet, the phone has to move with them. DECT gives on-site teams clear, secure and dependable calling on its own radio frequencies, and E-MetroTel makes it easy to add to the phone system you already have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DECT phone?
A DECT phone is a wireless handset that connects to base stations using the DECT standard, which is designed for voice calls. Businesses use DECT phones so staff can take calls anywhere on site.
Does DECT interfere with Wi-Fi?
No. DECT uses its own dedicated frequencies, separate from the bands used by Wi-Fi.
Are DECT phones secure?
Business DECT systems support authentication between handsets and base stations and encrypt calls, which helps protect conversations.
Can DECT phones work with a cloud phone system?
Yes. E-MetroTel DECT solutions work with our cloud, on-premises and virtualized phone systems.
Which industries use DECT phones?
DECT is common in healthcare, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, warehousing and education, anywhere staff move around while they work.
Bring Wireless Calling to Your Workplace
Back on the ward, the next call reaches the nurse on the first ring, wherever she is. That is the difference the right wireless phone makes.
Learn more about E-MetroTel DECT solutions or talk to our team.
