Low-Cost DECT telephones soon to feature Internet functions and get 40 percent cheaper

A decade has passed since the launch of the DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) standard, introducing a new freedom of movement during landline telephone conversations. There are currently over 220 million of DECT telephones in use, with another 40 million to be sold this year. Now chip manufacturer Infineon has announced details of its eighth generation of DECT phone chips, featuring new functions such as polyphonic ring tones, colour displays, exchanging of text messages (SMS), alphanumeric access to data bases and the integration of Internet services such as the transmission of news and music programs.

Infineon also announced that it will release a single chip later this year that will contain all the DECT-relevant functions currently spread over three special chips. For the first time, voice processing, wireless transmission, and signal amplification will be accomplished using one piece of silicon, enabling telephone manufacturers to reduce the production costs for a DECT telephone by approximately 40 percent.