What’s the difference between 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz phones? I can understand it’s the different frequencies but how are they different in their quality?!
Has anyone moved from the traditional 900 MHz to 2.4 one? Was there a significant difference in reception and was the extra price worth it?
Are there any privacy risks and what can be done about such risks?
I am not a techie, so am not sure what is the link, if any, between the frequency and security. Most new phones have security feature built-in so other folks can't listen using some of those basic transistors from out side.
The frequency is basically a range for the phone, as I am sure you know. I used ot have a 900 MHz Sony coordless but it started giving a lot of problem by dropping the signal, losig the call and all that. I replaced it with a 2.2 GHz Panasonic and so far so good. I think the way store-guys explain it, a 900 Mhz is good for a smaller apartment, whereas a 2.2 GHz will work even for the yard in a bigger house. A 5+ Ghz may probably work for the whole block or something. Another thing which they add on is Digital Spread Spectrum which is supposed to increase the range of the phone quite a lot.
On another note, I think I read in one of the medical journals that the higher the frequency of the cordless phone, the more it is dangerous in terms of causing cancer. Therefore not to go for more frequency than you really need. Not sure on that, so if you really care about this issue, search the internet and find out if this is just a hoax/myth or something backed by factual scientific research.
I don't have a problem with range, I live in a small apartment and will be for the next 2-3 years. But I don't want calls dropped or have any kind of static.
If reception is better with high GHz, I am willing to spend some more to get a better deal!
In which case 2.2 GHz is probably all you want. Reception problems are more to do with quality of the phone and less with the frequency number. Previously 900 MHz phones used to work fine for years in smaller homes.
These days 900 MHz only come in low-end phones which don't give many functionalities, even. So first determine what you want in a phone... brand name, answering machine, call id, call waiting, number storage, dual pad, expansion capability, 1-line or 2-line, number display on the handset etc etc... and basically any other functionality you want. Chances are a 2.2 GHz phone will fulfill all your requirements.
ahmadjee,
According to Consumer Reports 900MHz is just fine for most everyone. The higher frequency phones may also be problematic if you have wireless routers in near vicinity... somer users report interference when the devices are in near vicinity of each other (higher likelihood of happening in smaller apartments :)
^True. I have a 900mhz and it works fine. Reception isnt great, but the same thing is true for the 2.4ghz phones. Reception depends on your atmosphere more than it depends on the frequency. Because you live in an apartment I see nothing wrong with buying a 900mhz. Yes they lack in features as they are getting old, but they will work fine.
Why waste money?
go for 900mhz if that's all you need.
i have 900mhz and it works perfect. once i checked it's range by going outside the house about 25 yards and it still worked perfect. When i walked a little bit further the signal started coming distorted but it still didn't dissconnect.
All cordless phones can be tapped. U cannot have a secure conversation. U can tap in2 a specific frequency with either a $300 - $3000 ICOM transciever which r pretty much legal in US.
The only thing u can do is minimize ur risks by changing da frequency every few minutes or seconds....this breaks all ICOM wiretaps. But y should u be afraid of a normal tele conv unless if ur working 4 a secret service or a blue chip company.