By Steve Jackson
Telstreet

It used to be that everybody asked themselves, "Should I get a wireless phone?" Now, there's an added question: "Should I get a digital phone?"

Increasingly the answer to both questions is "Yes." Millions have realized the convenience offered by wireless phones. And many people are realizing that digital phones do offer many advantages over traditional analog phones. From better sound quality to advanced features like wireless Internet access, digital phones are prepared to dominate the wireless industry.

Clearer sound
While the traditional analog phones were convenient, they were also frequently annoying. The sound was scratchy and full of static, and the signal frequently faded in and out. Digital phones offer crystal-clear sound that is as good as or better than the sound you get from any land-based phone.

Improved security
A few high-profile news stories, such as the time when tape recordings of private conversations between Newt Gingrich and his political advisers were released, highlighted some of the security risks associated with analog phones. Anyone with a scanner could pick up an analog phone's signals, and identifying serial numbers could be stolen and used to place fraudulent calls.

Those concerns are no more with digital phones. Digital signals are scrambled - the method depends on the particular digital format a particular phone uses - so that the calls are unintelligible to anyone listening in. Identifying codes that allow the cellular network to recognize your phone are encrypted as well, meaning that someone trying to intercept your phone's ID code would get nothing but gibberish. Because of these security enhancements, the incidences of wireless fraud have dropped dramatically.

Increased battery life
With analog phones, a battery that provided more than a couple hours of talk time and 24 hours of standby time was pretty hefty. Digital phones are capable of lasting much longer between recharges. Digital signals require significantly less power to transmit than analog phones, meaning batteries last considerably longer. Some digital phones will provide up to four hours of talk time and eight days of standby time.

Enhanced features
The most advanced analog phone can't measure up to even the most basic digital phone when it comes to features. Analog phones are good for making phone calls, and that's about it. Some analog phones do include a few basic call management features, such as call waiting, voice mail access, a small phonebook and perhaps Caller ID. Almost all digital phones contain these features, plus others such as alphanumeric paging, expanded phonebooks and even personal organizers and data capabilities that let you exchange information between your phone and your computer. The latest digital phones even offer wireless Internet access.

A promising future
Considering all that today's digital wireless phones are capable of, it's important to remember that they hit the market only a couple of years ago. The possibilities for the future are astounding. Wireless Internet access has become a reality and is destined to turn the digital phone into the ultimate communications device. Advanced phones equipped with a special "mini-browser" can access certain Web sites, and they can receive updates from Internet news and information services. These phones can also serve as a wireless modem for laptop computers and other PDA-type devices.

In addition to this new capability, some digital phones are now combining the features of a PDA (personal digital assistant) with a phone, allowing you to get more done with less equipment.  As exciting as all of this new technology sounds, it is hard to realize that we are just seeing the beginning of what digital phones have to offer. Beyond this, who knows?