The mobile phone is, irrefutably, today’s communication tool of choice. PMR, WiFi and DECT technology require dedicated and specific cordless handsets as an integral part of any solution. An ideal solution utilises standard mobile phones. Benefits of using standard GSM mobile handsets include a longer battery life and extended handset choice.

The effective communication range of a Wireless phone can be as little as 300m and, in built-up areas, this can often fall to as little as 50m with potential interference from WiFi or video senders. The effective range can be extended by using repeaters or boosters but this has cost repercussions. Range can be extended by using GSM technology inbuilding to as much as 900m radius which also significantly reduces the number of base units and repeaters required.

A GSM system can also provide access to the macro GSM or IP network, as well as provide service to the closed ‘island’ user group within the business. This flexibility to switch between two networks, the closed environment and the wider macro network, is not an intrinsic feature of DECT handsets and, typically, is only supported on PBX vendor-specific solutions and, as such, represents another significant advantage of GSM based solutions.