What to consider when your old system is nearing its end-of-life.
If you walk into almost any production or warehouse environment in Belgium today, you’ll still spot DECT handsets that have been in use for over a decade. And that’s no coincidence. Europe accounts for more than 30% of the entire global DECT market, with manufacturing, healthcare and logistics among its biggest users. DECT has long been a loyal companion: simple, familiar, predictable.
But nothing lasts forever, and that includes DECT systems. Many setups installed 10–15 years ago are reaching the end of their lifecycle. Not because the idea was wrong, but because the old technology and hardware can’t keep up with today’s demands. Teams are more mobile, buildings are larger, operations run faster, and digitalisation has woven itself into every corner of production.
So when old DECT starts failing, and most eventually do, businesses face a big question:
What should we replace it with?
This guide breaks down the key things to think about when your DECT network is showing its age.
Why DECT is getting harder to maintain
Many industrial businesses installed their DECT networks more than a decade ago. Back then, it was exactly what production teams needed. But over time, antennas age, coverage gets patchier, and dust settles on old hardware.
The hardware ecosystem around old setups is shrinking. Companies can continue replacing antennas and handsets, patching a problem instead of fixing it, or they can start exploring other alternatives.
Understanding your options today
Modern communication setups can look very different from the DECT networks of the past. The biggest shift across the industry is toward mobile-first communication, built on industrial-grade smartphones that support flexible, on-the-move teams. And there’s a reason this approach is gaining momentum.
- One device does it all
Instead of a DECT handset for on-site calls and a mobile phone for everything else, industrial-grade smartphones combine both worlds into one device. Employees no longer switch between tools or carry two devices.
- Devices are easier to replace
If a DECT handset or its base station breaks, finding a compatible replacement can be a small adventure. If a smartphone breaks, you replace it like you would any modern device — by just ordering a new one.
- Calling becomes consistent across the whole business
Both fixed and mobile numbers can be used, regardless of which device a user is on. Toggle between group numbers or personal numbers with a simple push of a button. Manage your presence and line state — all on one device.
- Your communication finally aligns with how people work
Production teams move, cross buildings, switch zones, respond to issues and coordinate constantly. A mobile-first setup follows the people based on how they work, instead of people having to adapt their way of working to the available devices.
How to approach your DECT replacement project
Replacing outdated setups doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s good to start by looking at a few questions:
- Where are the coverage gaps?
- How many users and numbers do we actually need?
- What does IT want to simplify?
- Should one business number follow people across devices?
Once these basics are clear, the rest of the process is usually straightforward.
A cloud-based setup is quick to deploy: you define your users, numbers and groups. If you’re switching provider, there’s a number-porting step to plan for. Industrial-grade smartphones can be delivered and configured fast, becoming the main device your teams rely on. Web phones, standard smartphones and IP desk phones can be incorporated into the setup as well.
The result is a modern, mobile-first system that’s easier to maintain, adapts to your environment and actually fits the way your teams work today, without the limitations of aging DECT hardware.
The outcome businesses usually see
When an old setup is replaced with a modern cloud communication platform, a few things tend to happen immediately:
- Reachability becomes more predictable
• Communication becomes more reliable and predictable across the entire operation
• Shift handovers run smoother
• Planning gets information faster
• Maintenance reacts quicker
• Teams carry fewer devices
• IT has fewer fires to put out
Nothing dramatic — just everyday work suddenly feeling lighter, clearer and more connected.
To wrap it up
If your old communications network is aging out, it’s not a failure — it’s simply a sign that your environment has evolved. Production floors are bigger, teams are more mobile, operations move faster. And communication needs to keep up.
It’s not about buying new hardware; it’s about choosing a setup that supports how your people actually work today.
If you’re unsure where to start, talking to someone who understands industrial environments can help you see your options clearly, without the complexity.
