The global market volume for products and solutions in the telecommunications sector amounts to billions of dollars per year.  More than ²/₃ of all mobile radio traffic will take the form of data communications by 2005. Mobile computing and mobile multimedia will be commonplace by then. The spectrum of networks for mobile data communication extends from wireless LANs and DECT, via wireless WANs (e.g. GSM and AMPS, CDMA, MODACOM and MOBITEX), through to satellite networks using  satellite systems such as VSAT and LEOS.

DECT and GSM
DECT and GSM are ETSI-approved worldwide standards for the cordless and cellular sectors. These digital standards are based on TDMA technology, which enables the establishment of multicellular configurations. The focal points of DECT and GSM applications diverge from one another as a result of differences in channel assignment, power and subscriber density.

The large number of available channels and its small cells make DECT particularly suitable for in-house and campus applications, while GSM 900 has been designed for use outside the campus sector. The GSM 1800 derivative, approved by the ETSI, has smaller cells and is used to support personal communication services (e.g. PCS 1900 in the U.S.). DECT-GAP—an extension to the DECT standard—is a DECT air interface that enables the inter-system use of DECT telephones made by different manufacturers. This means that DECT can be used at home, in the office and in the public sector.

DECT is also suitable for WLLs. Public WLL systems based on the DECT standard are already being established or used in the commercial sector. Operators in Asia had a free choice of technology and decided in favor of the future-oriented DECT technology. A DECT/CTM based association of 25 municipal networks will be offering country-wide mobility in Italy by the end of 1997 using DECT terminal devices.

WLL systems offer a wide range of services for users with stationary terminal devices, as well as local mobility for the users of mobile equipment. The application-specific characteristics of the cellular networks and cordless networks are utilized to an optimum extent where dual-band handsets and dual-mode handsets are used, ensuring that a mobile subscriber can always be reached at the most reasonable rate.

While a dual-band handset is used within two cellular networks, a dual-mode handset can be used for applications within one cellular network and one cordless network. Such criteria as the convergence of fixed networks and mobile radio networks, extension of network capacity, mobile radio for private users, EU directives and deregulation of the telecommunication market are leading to the integration of DECT with GSM in the form of dual-mode handsets.