Music and news content to drive sales of ageing technology

DECT phones are set to get a boost with the addition of internet services such as news and music programmes, as well as the ability to exchange text messages.

Infineon today demonstrated eighth-generation DECT phone chips at a conference on DECT internet solutions in France. The chips feature new functions such as polyphonic ring-tones and colour displays.

Infineon said the new technology would make it possible to build devices that cost less than today's digital cordless phones.

Analyst firm In-Stat predicted that 40 million new DECT customers will be added to an estimated current market of 220 million users worldwide.

Infineon also announced the integration of three chips into a single component, allowing voice processing, wireless transmission and signal amplification to be carried out on a single chip.

"Responding to the opportunity in worldwide market growth, especially in the US and Asia, requires inexpensive solutions with top quality and a great variety of functions," said Michael Neuhaeuser, director of programme management at Infineon.