KIRK IP DECT solutions provide the wireless voice link into a VoIP telephony solution and like the Wi-Fi access points used in voice over Wi-Fi solutions KIRK wireless servers connect directly to the LAN in VoIP telephony solutions.

QOS is important

A KIRK DECT solution provides robust quality of service. 

Voice over Wi-Fi solutions are susceptible to dropping voice packets if there is a spike in data traffic.

Security is important

DECT is a secure voice technology (the DECT standard includes as part of its definition encryption for maximum call security).

Trouble free mobility (roaming) is important

KIRK DECT solutions provide robust handover between base stations and repeaters (access points in a Wi-Fi solution) when the user is roaming.  The handover between wireless units is fully transparent to the user.

Wi-Fi provides freedom from the constraint of wires it does not necessarily deliver trouble free mobility (roaming whilst making a call).  In a Wi-Fi solution voice calls can be dropped or degraded during the handover between access points.

Talk time and stand by time are important

KIRK DECT handsets offer in excess of 20 hours talk time and 200 hours stand by time.  Maximising battery life, and thus the talk and standby time, is a requirement built into the DECT technology standard .

Wi-Fi handset technology is such that handsets are only able to offer typical as little as 4 hours talk time and 20 hours standby time.

Sound quality is important

A KIRK DECT solution provides a quality of speech comparable to that of a wire line telephone system.

Coverage is important

A KIRK DECT solution can provide coverage indoors and outdoors.  Outdoors a range of up to 300m can be achieved.

Wi-Fi networks have limited range.  A typical Wi-Fi access point might provide a range of 45m indoors and 90m outdoors.  To provide coverage for voice calls in corridors, restrooms, canteens, and other non work spaces may mean adding many more Wi-Fi access points.

Deployment and ongoing costs are important

KIRK DECT solutions offer potentially a lower deployment cost and DECT handsets benefit from a low manufacturing cost base due to the long run and volume manufacturing savings which have been achieved. 

Voice over Wi-Fi solutions can be costly if hi-end wireless access points (employing the needed security and QoS technologies) are used. Additionally, the Wi-Fi handsets do not enjoy the same low manufacturing cost base as DECT handsets.

Resilience against RF interference is important

A KIRK DECT solution is robust against RF interference.   The KIRK DECT solution works in a dedicated frequency band and built into the DECT standard is the requirement to minimise the effect of RF interference.

Wi-Fi solutions operate in a shared frequency band and other wireless devices, such as RFID equipment, microwave ovens, security cameras, and Bluetooth devices can cause significant interference.

The existing wireless network comprises Soho or residential grade wi-fi equipment

A KIRK DECT solution offers cost advantages over Wi-Fi - there is no requirement to upgrade the wireless network to use enterprise grade Wi-Fi access points.

Future technology planning is important

A KIRK DECT solution is based on an international standard.  There are no proprietary solutions and inter-operability is provided for.  The technology is being evolved but will remain standards based.  A recent new standard is CAT-iq (Cordless Advances Technology – internet quality) which will enable DECT phones to connect to the Internet services.