The DECT radio interface

The Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard is being produced under the auspices of the ETSI organisation by manufacturers, operators and the administrations of Europe. DECT aims to harmonise a multitude of cordless services into a single integrated system. The standard combines both voice telephony and data network teleservices and includes support for both ISDN and X.25. In addition a gateway to the pan European GSM digital cellular system is provided to enable mobile cordless base stations. It is important to note that the DECT standard differs from that of other mobile systems, such as GSM, in that it is an air interface standard only and does not include a full fixed network specification. The author discusses the radio interface requirements of the specification and some of the radio access control procedures.<>