Despite the maturity of the technology, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) technology still offers opportunities for growth in untapped markets.

The emergence of session initiation protocol (SIP) DECT and IP DECT products, the availability of wider-range feature-improved DECT models, and the continuous penetration of DECT technology in untapped markets are some of the main factors driving the growth of DECT shipments and revenues in the enterprise market.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan – World Enterprise DECT Phone Markets – finds that market earned revenues of over $280 million in 2007 and estimates this to reach $318 million in 2014.

Although the technology has started to witness some degree of decline in the traditional and mature European markets, DECT deployment in emerging regions such as North America, CALA, and APAC has offset the decline in the old continent.

"In fact, while in Europe the DECT market is demonstrating a steady but slow decline, the DECT market in North America has been showing strong vital signs since its launch in 2005," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Alaa Saayed.

"Although both developed regions show increased interest in VoWLAN technologies, DECT, IP DECT, and SIP DECT mobile telephony seem to be chosen by businesses based on a number of criteria that include company size, type, mobility needs, and current telephony infrastructure. Some target groups that are more prone to use DECT endpoints than others include enterprises and businesses with legacy or hybrid systems, enterprises with mobility needs and no planned WLAN infrastructure, enterprises with mobility needs and WLAN for data-only purposes, and, of course, industry verticals and SMBs."

On the other hand, regions such as CALA, APAC, and the rest of the world are showing varied preference for either VoWLAN or DECT adoption depending on each country's complex range of variables such as degree of cordless implementation, hi-tech regulatory aspects, macro-economic context of the country, and technological influences from neighbouring countries.

As the mature technology transforms to fit contemporary business requirements, there are several challenges that need to be addressed along the way. Continuous price erosion due to a highly competitive marketplace, multiple regulatory challenges in different geographical areas, and the importance of full integration with newer enterprise solutions and infrastructures such as fixed mobile convergence (FMC) and unified communications (UC), are some of the main aspects that DECT endpoint providers need to straighten out in order to succeed in a fast changing market.

Another challenge for DECT manufacturers and providers is the rising popularity and penetration of different types of IP endpoints such as IP desktop phones, softphones, and VoWLAN single- and dual-mode devices. Price reductions, due to advances in technology, and intense competition are severely constricting profit margins for both DECT manufacturers and resellers.

Further, as DECT technology is looked upon as an old, Europe-centric, and consumer-based technology, providers are faced with the difficult task of changing that perception. Refining DECT technology to fit the rapidly evolving enterprise IP telephony market is another concern for vendors.

"While the varied and persistent efforts and activities of entities such as the DECT Forum are continuously helping the evolution of the technology and its adoption across the globe, market participants should routinely introduce feature upgrades and an increased choice of offerings to help improve handset sales," notes Sayeed. "Multiple benefits and characteristics, including the maturity and stability of the technology, the voice quality and security of DECT endpoints, and the general cost effectiveness of the solution, must be highlighted."

DECT manufacturers and suppliers must also showcase the general characteristics of DECT handsets, including durability, battery life, and user density in order to boost sales and marketing efforts. With the entry of new market participants and the growing popularity of DECT 6.0 products in the consumer space, the market expects to maintain its current growth trajectory.