What is the difference between analog and digital cordless technology?

Cordless phones can operate with analog or digital technology.

Analog technology is common in cordless telephones, especially in cost-effective models. Analog signals tend to be more noisy or prone to interference with respect to sound quality. In addition, analog signals are easily picked up and interpreted by radio scanners.

Digital technology provides clearer phone signals and offers significantly increased security.

Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) technology enables voice data to "frequency hop", or transmit in pieces over several frequencies between the receiver and the base, making it almost impossible to eavesdrop on cordless phone conversations.

What is the difference between DECT 6.0 and traditional cordless telephony?

DECT 6.0 and traditional cordless technology operate on the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) with a typical phone jack. The difference between the two technologies is the frequency on which each operates.

Cordless phones operate on various radio frequencies, which are set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Traditionally, the options have been 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. When purchasing a cordless phone, the manufacturer will indicate on which frequency that given phone will operate. The 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies also share space with items like radio communication devices and microwaves. The potential for interference is greater on these frequencies and, therefore, clarity of a phone call can be compromised. The 5.8 GHz frequency is relatively clear, but can experience interference from WiFi on the nearby 2.4 GHz frequency.

DECT 6.0 is a new technology in the United States and operates on the newly introduced 1.9 GHz frequency. As of today, DECT is the only technology slated to operate on this frequency, which leaves it free from interference. This ensures a clearer, higher quality cordless phone call.