Enhanced ECO functions for Siemens Gigaset phones:

In 2007, the Gigaset Communication GmbH converted its entire Gigaset portfolio to ECO DECT. This included cutting power consumption thanks to the energy-saving power supplies and various variable functions for reducing transmitting power. Since 2008, the transmitting power is completely switched off in idle or standby mode for all new Gigaset phones with ECO Mode Plus. This is possible with a new technology that enables rapid synchronization of the base station and handset when calls are made or received. In addition, the transmitting power during calls can be reduced by 80 percent in ECO mode.

Automatic reduction of transmission power saves energy

For many years, the Gigaset handsets reduce transmitting power depending on how far they are from the base station: At a distance of around eight meters, for example, the transmitting power is cut to 15 percent only, meaning a far longer talk and standby time for the handsets. Energy-saving switched-mode power supplies in all ECO DECT phones cut energy consumption by up to 60 percent.

ECO mode: 80 percent reduction in transmitting power in standby mode and during calls

If ECO mode is enabled in the handset’s menu, the transmitting power of the base station and handset is reduced by 80 percent. This setting also applies if multiple handsets are used or when calls are being made. From the technical view, the range envisaged under the DECT standard is cut from 50 to about 25 meters in rooms and from 300 to about 150 meters outdoors, which is completely sufficient for most situations in the home, hence more energy-saving.

ECO Mode Plus: 100 percent radiation free in standby mode

Thanks to ECO Mode Plus, the base station’s transmission power is turned off completely in idle or standby mode. The base station and handset switch into ‘wait’ mode. The two devices wait or “listen” for an event, for example, an incoming call or a button being pressed, and then establish an active connection again out of their idle state.

In the case of an incoming call, the base station enables transmission mode, and the handset synchronizes itself with the base station, rings and displays the name of the caller. In the case of an outgoing call (initiated by pressing a button on the handset), the handset emits signals to activate the base station, which then establishes the connection so that the two devices are re-synchronized. The time needed for the base station and handset to synchronize and exchange the necessary data is about 1 second. One advantage of the new technology is that the base station and handset only transmit signals when calls are actually being made. This continuous “listening” by the handset and base station results in only a slight increase in power consumption.

ECO mode and the new ECO Mode Plus offer customers various means of further reducing the transmitting power of the base station and handset. Both functions can be set manually in the menu and used independently of each other, or in combination.

The new ECO Mode Plus is supported by Siemens Gigaset AL180, AL280, A380, A580, C380, C590, E490 and SL780 and their variants with answering machine, ISDN or IP functionalities.

Gigaset Communications GmbH is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cordless phones and the No.1 market leader in Europe for DECT phones. With its headquarters in Munich, the company develops, manufactures and distributes high-quality products under the brand Siemens Gigaset. Its portfolio includes fixed-network phones, Voice over IP devices, software solutions and home media products. The primary production site is in Bocholt, Germany, where the Gigaset products are manufactured under the most stringent quality and environmental standards. Gigaset Communications is a licensee of the Siemens trademark.