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.
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.
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.
Replacing outdated setups doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s good to start by looking at a few questions:
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.
When an old setup is replaced with a modern cloud communication platform, a few things tend to happen immediately:
Nothing dramatic — just everyday work suddenly feeling lighter, clearer and more connected.
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.