802.11B + DECT = OK?

I'm taking the plunge to go for a little network at home with a wireless accesspoint.

I already have a DECT (Digital European Cordless Telephones; I think it stands for, in case you're wondering) phone which has been excellent. I've heard the DECT + WiFi = trouble. Anyone got any experience with this, pointers to avoid problems (range difference with either off, location of either, etc?)

Thanks,

Cas.

P.S.: I don't post that often, so I guess the "READ THE FAQ" bar loud & clear over the text box, addresed at new users has been there a while. Tony, did it help?

Yes, I think it has helped.

Djeez, you're fast....

Being in the US, we've got 2.4 and now 5.something wireless phones, I'm not sure about DECT, but I'll tell you my experiences...

I've got one of the "orginal" Panasonic 2.4ghz phones that's about two years old, and it interferes occasionally. I'm not sure what kind of alorithm they use for picking frequencies, but every few weeks it'll start interfereing, and keep interfering for a day or two. Then it moves on, and you don't notice it for another few weeks. It's fairly infuriating when someone else gets on the phone for a long chat while you're watching tv and responding to posts about empegs. I can't afford 802.11a yet, so I'll probably buy the next <$30 900mhz phone with caller ID I come accross.

Anyways, if you've got some extra cash and you're starting from scratch, look it up and get 802.11a if your phones conflict with 802.11b. It'll be faster anyways...

Ok, I wrote all that, then did some research. It looks like most DECT phones are 1.8-1.9ghz, so they should be fine... But it looks like some are 2.4ghz, and they might not be so fine. Check your phone's manual, it should tell you.

Matthew

I've got one of the "orginal" Panasonic 2.4ghz phones that's about two years old, and it interferes occasionally.

My ISP was worried that our 2.4ghz phone was causing interference noise on his wireless router on my roof, but we tested it last night and he did not see any additional noise when I called using that phone.

So what do you know about 2.4ghz phones and 802.11b interference? Or 802.11b interference in general? He's seeing brief periods of noise interfering with the system, each lasting about 20 minutes or so, at random times. He assumed it was a phone call, but our testing did not seem to support that theory.

So what do you know about 2.4ghz phones and 802.11b interference?

I have a Uniden TRU24 2.4GHz phone and if my 802.11b is operating on channel 6 or 11, the network connection will drop (not fade). I simply forced my 802.11b to channel 2 and have had no problems.

i have a siemens 2.4 GHz phone, and find i have no problems with interference at all. now, the microwave oven, on the other hand...

--dan.

DECT isn't 2.4GHz from what I remember - something in the 900MHz band I thought. I've not had any issues & I've got a couple of Philips DECTs at home along with a lucent 802.11b.

Rob's phone in the office (and David's) are also DECT & we have 802.11 too...

Hugo

Well, my interference in strange because it only happens every once in a while, but when it happens it directly coresponds to talking on the phone or even scrolling through caller ID. Pattern wise, once it starts interfereing, it's going to interfere for the next few phone calls, so perhaps he could look for that in his logs. Otherwise, perhaps he could call you when the link goes down to see if you were on the phone?

I've had remarkable good luck with my AP considering that I live in a college appartment building with plenty of microwaves and cordless phones... The only time I get a drop out is with my cordless phone, otherwise it's rock solid.

Matthew

DECT is definately in the 900Mhz range - my flashing in-car magnetic mobile phone holder (that sits on my desk) goes crazy when my DECT phone is used (or rings).

Like GSM, what it stands for differs depending where you live.

Gareth

If DECT signal strength is high enough it can interfere with 802.11b, generally because many DECT phones don't attenuate enough outside the working band (900MHz) even though 802.11b is up at 2.4GHz.

As Robricc says though, you should be able to find a range which is less susceptible, and most vendors of decent 802.11 kit provide interference/monitoring tools which should let you find the frequency range of the interference so you can avoid it.