2.4GHz and DECT versions lead

2.4GHz and DECT phones lead the R&D agenda for most interviewed makers. The recent approval of the DECT standard in the United States in relation to a general reorganization of frequency bands in the country has given the DECT industry a major boost.

DECT, formerly exclusive to Europe, is widely acknowledged by cordless phone makers in Hong Kong and Taiwan as the most feasible among high-end cordless phone due to signal clarity, operating range and add-on features.

Among interviewed Taiwan companies, only Rexon, Netvox and Advance Wireless produce DECT phones. Senao offers 2.4GHz, 900MHz and long-range cordless phone. George Tang produces 2.4GHz and long-range cordless phones.

Kingtel started 2.4GHz and DECT cordless phone manufacture in 2002. The company has invested at least $20 million in R&D and manufacturing equipment for the product line. In Q1 2006, Kingtel will launch 20 new models of 2.4GHz cordless phones and DECT phones. The company also plans to start 5.8GHz production in mid-2006 and release new models in Q4 2006.

Kingtel projects to sell 1.2 million 2.4GHz cordless phones in 2006 and another 2.4 million units in 2007. The company churned out 5 million units in 2004, and estimates to have produced 6 million cordless phones in 2005.