Demystifying Wireless Technologies
Ever get confused about how to go wireless? Plantronics' Anthony Reese, Director Mobile and Entertainment Portfolio, and Sylvia Hooks, Senior Business to Business Product Marketing Manager, get together to talk about some different wireless technologies you encounter in your home, office, and mobile phones:
If you're looking for a high-quality headset system I recommend our CS70N. The headset comes with a base unit that works with almost any phone, and the headset is handy in the office - it's high quality, interference free, long range, and sounds great.
Q: What is wireless?
AR: The basic story is that there are a lot of wireless technologies. It's a very broad category; for example, a mobile phone is wireless and an office headset can be wireless. Bluetooth® is just one flavor of wireless technology- it's a very popular technology used to develop wireless connections, most often between a headset and a mobile phone.
SH: Wireless can mean a lot of things; cellphones and WiFi are other examples of what it encompasses. DECT is one example of US technology under the wireless umbrella, and it works really well for home and office communications.
Q: Can you describe a little bit about Bluetooth and DECT wireless technologies?
AR: Bluetooth is very universal; it was designed to become the standard any manufacturer can adopt for wireless communication. It's a low-power, 2.4 gigahertz solution for many different types of devices. Headsets are the most popular use of the technology; and that it sometimes gets confusing. Often you hear people say "my Bluetooth" when they're really talking about their headset.
SH: DECT is similar to Bluetooth in that it is a low-power, wireless technology that can be used for hands-free communication. It's different in that it's very specialized; it uses a 1.9 gigahertz frequency specifically reserved by the FCC for voice communications or for cordless phones. Because this is a protected frequency, you get an exceptionally high quality, interference-free sound with a long headset-base range.
We recently launched the Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset, and it specifically addresses Bluetooth issues. The headset docks into a leather case, which is convenient to put in your pocket or purse, and the case actually recharges the headset. It also includes our QuickPair technology - so the first time you turn it on, the headset automatically tries to find your mobile device.
Q: What it Takes to Get Started:
AR: In order for Bluetooth to work, you have to introduce your headset to your phone, and it's not always apparent how to navigate that part of your cell phone. We have information on Plantronics.com that explains how to pair your headset in a few quick steps.
SH: The protected frequency makes DECT single-purpose; it is used only for voice communication in the US – perfect for headset-base communication with your desk phone, whereas the frequency used by Bluetooth can be used in other types of devices, like computers, cameras, printers, speakers and many other wireless devices.
Q: Is there a technology that's best for the user?
AR: It depends on what you need. Bluetooth offers the only wireless headset solution for your mobile phone. You just need to make sure your phone has Bluetooth; most new ones do.
We recently launched the Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset, and it specifically addresses Bluetooth issues. The headset docks into a leather case, which is convenient to put in your pocket or purse, and the case actually recharges the headset. It also includes our QuickPair technology - so the first time you turn it on, the headset automatically tries to find your mobile device.
SH: Just make sure to choose the technology for the type of phone you're using. You most likely want DECT for your desk phone - you're guaranteed a very high-quality handsfree connection; it sounds just like you're on a corded phone.
If you're looking for a high-quality headset system I recommend our CS70N. The headset comes with a base unit that works with almost any phone, and the headset is handy in the office - it's high quality, interference free, long range, and sounds great.
