Simplex phones

[David H]

Why is it that mobile phones have been full duplex on speakerphones for years (both sides can talk at once) but home cordless phones are still simplex and cut out what someone says when both speak together? Can't they use the same technology on both?

[rojash]

I wonder if it's anything to do with the fact that a typical mobile retails (unsubsidised) at around 300 quid, whereas a cordless is around 40 quid?

[David H]

Certainly a few years ago that would be the case, but I just bought a decent Nokia pay as you go for �25. I think that situation is now obsolete.

[PhilLew]

I bought a set of cordless phones for the house last year �40 for a set of four and they can all be used at once without cutting each other out!

The only thing that I know of that still works on single chanels are two way radios. I have a set with headphones so my wife and I can talk to each other on our bikes and it's d@mned annoying when I can't get a word in!

[rojash]

David H, If you bought it pay as you go, then it was subsidised and will be locked to the provider.

[David H]

I don't mean people sharing one channel Phil, but the person at the other end.

In full duplex you can talk and the person on the phone to you can as well and it's like a face to face conversation. Just like a normal phone. But the cordless home speakerphones use the old simplex method that only allows one person to talk at either end. If you are talking and the person at the other end interrupts they won't hear you at all, they'll just get a moment of silence while they are speaking. It can only send or receive, not both.

rojash, I've seen them selling plenty of unlocked mobiles at the Carphone Warehouse and they weren't a lot dearer than the dedicated ones. And the cordless phones I've had to suffer from my end have been top of the range at over �100 and still unable to go duplex. I suppose it's just a way of maximising profits really but they're still insisting on using outdated and inadequate technology. Sad really.