DECT has an established history as a headset technology in the business communications space, offering reliable wireless communication for large and crowded workspaces. However, its limitations made it less of a favorite with businesses since the onset of the pandemic and the rise of hybrid work.
"After the pandemic, the fastest growing types of UC headsets were Bluetooth and USB, since they're typically the easiest ones to take home and travel with," explains Gerry Chen, Product Marketing Manager at Yealink.
"However, DECT actually has some substantial benefits compared to other types of headsets, and we believe business should not be forced to give those up," he notes.
Enter Yealink's new WH64: A DECT-Bluetooth hybrid wireless headset tailored for both in-office and remote work.
DECT Headsets: Benefits and Limitations
As far as benefits go, DECT offers plenty.
Compared to Bluetooth, it allows a greater range and better deployment density, which is preferred for crowded offices with multiple headsets deployed simultaneously. This is because DECT devices are significantly less likely to be affected by other devices, operating in a separate frequency range.
DECT headsets are also more secure, following advanced encryption standards that ensure maximum call privacy.
So… what kept them from flourishing during the pandemic like their headset counterparts?
Traditional DECT headsets have one main limitation: Flexibility.
"DECT headsets have a base that they need to be close to for them to work, which is not very practical to take home," Chen explains.
But what about DECT-Bluetooth headsets? These already exist in the market, but while the presence of Bluetooth is an improvement, it still doesn’t thoroughly solve the flexibility issue.
“These headsets include Bluetooth technology, but it is integrated into the base – not the headset itself. So, in effect, it limits the inherent flexibility that true Bluetooth can offer,” Chen says.
How can you enjoy DECT's pluses as well as the full flexibility of Bluetooth? Well, Yealink has just launched the answer.
Yealink's WH64: A Work-From-Anywhere DECT
Let's go back a little bit: Yealink experienced notable success with their previous wireless DECT models, WH63 and WH62, both based on a decade of DECT and audio research and development, as well as rich experience in IP phones.
