Most cordless home telephones work on the DECT system: Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication. There is a wireless connection between the handset (the portable telephone) and the DECT station, the box connected to the phone network where you charge the handset.
The handset only transmits a signal while calling, whereas the DECT station normally transmits a continuous signal. The signals transmitted are very weak, however. The peak capacity of both the handset and the DECT station is 250 milliwatts. The handset has an average power of 10 milliwatts. The transmission power of the DECT station depends on the number of calls: for a single call, this is 10 mW. When 6 calls are being transmitted simultaneously, the station transmits 60 mW. If there is no call (stand-by), the station transmits 2.5 mW.
Just like mobile phones, DECT telephones must comply with the standards: the radiation may not be greater than 2 W/kg. Because the power of both the handset and the DECT station are lower than a mobile phone they easily satisfy this requirement.
Avoid unnecessary exposure
In order to avoid unnecessary exposure to electromagnetic waves, it is sufficient to place the DECT station away from resting places or work places, since the strength of the electromagnetic field quickly decreases with distance (see abovementioned figure). You can also choose a normal telephone. Another option is to buy a cordless telephone model that doesn’t transmit any signal if the handset is on the station (telephones such as Eco DECT).
You can download all information of this section in its entirety as a PDF document (information sheet “Wireless devices”).