PEOPLE who use the cordless second generation telephones, CT2, may have their prayers for a better system of cheap, mobile communications answered if a new technology based on the Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard takes off.
The technology allows calls to continue unbroken between cells in much the same way as mobile telephone networks operate. It is being tested in Europe, where it was developed in the main, and is making its way to Hong Kong.
DECT is aimed at the residential, business and public cordless telephone markets. The latter will have wireless local loop and wide area mobility services.
DECT was not only a telephony service, but a whole telecommunications system, Mark Leigh, general manager of Philips Hong Kong's communication systems division, said.
'It will cater to data as well as voice and have ISDN and cordless LAN support,' Mr Leigh said.
'You will also be able to interface DECT to a GSM network to create synergy between private and public applications.' However, Clifton Ho of National Semiconductor, said DECT aimed to fill in the 'cordless asset system' (CAS) market, whereas GSM covered the extremely mobile 'microcellular' market.