How to choose a cordless home telephone - Germany

I need to buy a cordless phone, but I'm not sure what to look for when choosing a model. Can anyone advise me?

I have Kabel Deutschland phone service, which I believe is VOIP. Does that affect which type of phone I can use? Also, I often use speakerphone, so it's important to me that a phone has speakerphone, and that the clarity is very good. Also, I'd like to be able to connect a headset to the phone then clip it to my pocket or pants. Does anyone know what these features are called in German?

Finally, my Kabel Deutschland package comes with two distinct phone numbers/lines. However, as far as I know all phones have to be connected directly to the modem in the living room. If I want a phone in the bedroom, then I suppose I'll need one of those extension packets that have extra phones that don't need to be connected to the phone line, but only plugged in to a power outlet. Is this right? Or is there some way to connect a phone in another room? Will I need two different phone sets if I want to be able to talk on different lines at the same time? Or can I somehow do this with the two handsets of a single extension set?

Thanks for any info/advice. I've only ever had a regular landline in the U.S./Canada before, and this stuff is hard to research online with my primitive knowledge of journal.

Normally the VOIP signalling will be handled by the modem provided by Kabel Deutschland so that you can buy any normal analog phone (DECT) and plug it to the modem. As for a good DECT phone model, I can recommend Panasonic KX-TG 8222 (Duo Set, one will be connected to the modem and other to a power socket and will act as a extension).
I have no clue on how to use multiple numbers over a VoIP line. Someone else will certainly provide information on that.

EDIT - In the English page of KD, they say the installation will be done for free.

I have KD as well. You need a normal analog phone. Your line is VOIP but the modem handles everything. If you want to use the 2 lines at the same time you will need 2 phones and connect both phones to the modem. If you want to have the second phone in a different room you can use the existing wiring of your flat/house, get one telephone cable and plug it to the modem and to the closest telephone socket and then plug the other phone to any socket in the room you want.

Seems to me you want a standard cordless phone, possibly with multiple handsets and maybe an answering machine. Many include hands-free (speaker phone). The VoIP bit is not relevant, although you (probably) have this service, you will also have been given an adapter so you can plug in a standard analogue telephone.

Siemens have a comprehensive range called "Gigaset" and identical models are sold all over the world. This has the advantage that you can review the offering on their English website, decide on your model then buy it in a German store or internet site. Don't be tempted to buy off an English website as are there are minor technical and cabling differences between models sold in different countries that mean a foreign-bought device may not work here. I'd suggest the Siemens Gigaset A265 Trio (3 handsets) or Duo (2 handsets) would suit your needs perfectly. The A260 variants are the same without the answering machine. A further advantage of the Siemens range is that most models have user guides in English you can download from the internet.

I think the OP wants to user the 2 lines at the same time. Those Gigaset Duo/Trio are just multiple handsets for the same line or can they handle multiple lines?

The Gigasets are standard analogue (single line) phones. The OP certainly has 2 lines (numbers) available, but from her description I assume she simply wants an extension to an existing number in the second room, and that without wires if possible. The other line/number could be used for another device - a fax for example

Really, all I need is a normal telephone cord? Then I can just the plug the modem into the wall socket and it the signal will magically be transported to the phone socket in the bedroom? That's great, but I'm surprised. I guess I always thought that the wall socket signal was out only, not in too?

I do want to be able to use both phone lines simultaneously, since my husband often makes long calls for work and I'd like to be able to make a call without waiting for him to get off the phone. So to do that it looks like I need two distinct phones. Is there no way to get a phone that can handle two lines? In the states I've seen two-line phones often.

If Krieg is correct then I don't need any extension units, just two (or maybe one multi-line?) normal analog / DECT phones.

Thanks for the model / brand suggestions. I'll go look those up.

YorkshireLad, have you used the speakerphone on this model? Is the sound quality good, particularly for listeners? Also, I looked at the specifications but I can't tell if the ringer volume and voice volume are adjustable. Do you know how many different volume levels are available for each? I'd want minimum three adjustable levels on any phone I buy. Finally, do they have a headset input? I don't see anything about this in the technical details.

Thanks!

captious

I've been looking at the features available on the Panasonic phones, and I have a (long!) set of features I'd like:

the base unit can support multiple handsets
headset jack
at least 3 levels of handset volume (and speakerphone volume)
at least 4 ringer volumes
pager, to locate the phone if it's lost
redial button, preferably with a memory of the last n numbers
automatic memory dial, i.e. it will remember a few commonly used numbers and I can set up shortcuts for them
flash button, or whatever the equivalent is to access call waiting in Germany
caller ID compatible, and preferably caller ID would work with call waiting as well, so that I can see who's calling before interrupting my call
optional but cool: ringerID, that uses a different ring depending on who is calling

The only problem is I can't figure out the equivalent between the phones listed on the English website and the phones listed on the German website. The model numbers don't correspond, and I can't figure out which phones have all the features I want.

I'm not aware of any phones which will work on 2 lines. Better to get a simple corded phone for your husbands long calls and a cordless phone as the "family" phone and attach them to each line. I'm not that familiar with the A265, but I know the volume control is variable and there is no headset connection. Some of the higher end models such as the SL565 and SL785 offer bluetooth headset support

With the exception of the headset jack I would say ALL the features you list are pretty much standard on ALL cordless phones...

That's good to know. I was worried because they didn't list adjustable ringer volume on the list of features, so I wasn't sure if the phone you recommended had it or not.

Can also recommend the Panasonic KX-TG range - very happy with ours. The Siemens Gigaset C-series (380, 385, 470, etc.) seem to all have 2.5mm headphone jacks for a corded headset, and are reasonably good value for money - one of these will probably be our next phone.

As for wanting to call on both lines - just buy two cheapish cordless phones - one basic one and one with headset jack etc. A good basic DECT will only cost around 25€ and a well-featured one only around 50€.

I would neve buy a siemens phone again - why?
I went down to Konrad ( in Tal ) and bought s siemens Gigaset number ( i cannot remember ).
The outside of the box was in German and English, the CD manual was in at least 10 languages ( including English ).
I tried to set it up in English, first by just pushing buttons! and then by reading the CD manual.
I finally got it to the state where all the menus, where in English, but I could not change the answereing machine into English, according to the CD manual, I then went to the Internet and tried the procedure there - it did not work.
So finally I sent an email to customer support, asking them how to put the answering machine into English, they replied saying that it was not possible with the unit I had got.
After a day or two, I went back to the website and they had updated their online manual, now saying that it was not possible to change the answering machines language.
I then contacted, Siemens again, asking them if it was possible to swap the unit, I had, with 1 from England ( I can cope with changing the cables !). Answer NO
I asked can I swap it for another model that does support the features I wanted ( listed on the box of the unit I bought ) but really working -- Answer NO
I asked for my money back. Answer NO, it not considered to be a big enough fault.
I J U S T L O V E C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E I N G E R M A N Y
So in the end ( not to be bitter ) I hope during this recession, all those help people at siemens will be losing their jobs!
and I will not be buying any siemens products in future without a very good resaon.

You can take it back to Conrad and swap it with another model of your choice. Normally they have a 14 day return option.

Yes, stop whining and follow the standard procedure, go to the place you bought it and get it exchanged or get your money back. Do you really expect Siemens giving you back your money?

And I want to see how you are going to cope living in Germany without Siemens products. Good luck.

Yes, I know, but due to holidays, waiting for emails, trying to work out what to do and not really being bothered, as I talk enough German to understand it anyway- I missed the deadline.
The bit that annoyes me, is the poor customer service that you get from Siemens - nothing else really!

Let me give you a counter-opinion on Siemens. I have an elderly (but excellent) Gigaset 4000 ISDN phone system with 4 handsets. I've had it around 4 years. Although I bought it new the model was long retired from the Gigaset range. I particularly wanted the 4000 because of some features on offer and the robustness of the handsets. One of the handsets ceased to function earlier this year - it would no longer charge. I called Siemens, and they warned that as it was out of guarantee the repair would be chargeable - we agreed they would collect the handset and determine if repair was worthwhile - there was a non-returnable charge for €10 for this. If they could or would not repair it then I only had to pay €10. The very next day DHL called with a parcel and a label to return the old handset. In the parcel was a brand-new identical handset. The old handset was returned and I took the opportunity to include a second handset with cracked display. A week later I got a parcel with the handset that had been cracked which was returned repaired, an invoice for €15 (€10 shipment and €5 for the display glass) and the comment that the first handset could not be repaired and they were giving me the replacement handset ("from old stock") for free. I could not have been more satisfied with their service, and that's one of the reasons I continue to recommend them.

I just bought almost all the appliances for our new kitchen from Siemens (stove, oven, microwave, hood and dishwasher). The main thing that made me choose Siemens is that they offered me that after the normal guarantee expires they will fix any possible damage charging me only for the replacement parts.

Our washing machine is Siemens as well, 5 years and running like a champ.

Maybe yesterday has not been in Germany long enough to learn how to deal with German customer support.

Well now you come to mention it …..

I bought a Siemens wash/dryer machine about 8 or 10 years ago, from Karlsstad, it was fine for about 3 years no problems.

Then the it started to go wrong, the problem was that it would not pump out the water during the drying cycle.

I rang Siemens customer support and technical lines, they said that they would send a guy around to look at it, I do not really remember how much, but I remember thinking oooooch! that's expensive as they would charge parts and fitting costs plus call out charge ( I guess that fair ).

On further investigation, I found out that whenever, the machine stopped, a code appeared in the display, I guessed this was an error code, wrote it down.

I tried surfing with the machine code, and error code but nothing came up.

Back to the Siemens help line ( which you pay for ), and asked ok, I have this error code what does it mean, they said that due to health and safety, they could not give an advise on what's wrong or how to fix as if I had an accident, while trying to repair the machine, it would be partly there fault, again they said I should call the guy out.

They did offer to sell me, a Technical Manual for the machine at quite a cost, and this would tell me what the code means, I declined, and asked again, just tell me what is sez in the technical about what the fault code means - Answer NO.

At this point I tried the technical help line in England, they gave me the same answer, I winged quite a bit, and managed to get the guy to give me the information on what the codes meant over the phone!!! Great

The code was water pump defect, so looking at the machine, I thought I would try it myself, so I ordered the water pump from Siemens ( 80 euro ), the strange thing was that although the pump would fit my machine, it was different to the old one on the machine, the original manufacture was different.

Anyway, I fitted it and the machine has been working perfectly since, at least 4-5 years.

In conclusion.

Siemens tried to block my requests for technical information. Trying to fob me off with Health and safety crap. Only wanted to sell me further products - some guy to fix it.

I believe, to this day the reason why I did not get the same pump, was that Siemens had cooked up the design of the machine, realising the water pump ( fitted to my machine ) could not really do the job - and hence changed the manufacture for later models, once they realised how bad the water pump was that I had.

BUT AS NORMAL IST ME THE CUSTOMER WHO IT RIPPED OFF BY THERE POOR DESIGN / SPECIFIACTION AND ENFORECD BY BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

as I had to buy the new ( well actually correcly working ) pump, not them for cocking it up in the first place

I buy quite allot, of stuff at ALDI, LIDL, NORMA, PENNY, when I get problem, they always help, even if they cannot, go to the manufacture and 9 times out 10 they will help -

the service is normal helpful and friendly.

The earlier comment, about "You have to buy Siemens products when you live in Germany" is just wrong, get some new Glasses !. There is plenty of choice out there you just have to look.

Because you do not see a big Siemens logo it does not mean ... whatever.

Captious,

Just go in to Media markt and have a look at the phones, they have loads of panasonic models here in the Heidelberg store and most of them have the info written in English on the outside of the box, they also have the phones out on display so you can check them out, if you don't have a media markt there just drive/train to Heidelberg for the day it's not far and many of the staff in Media markt speak English & are quite helpful.

From what I unterstand, if you have 2 lines, there should be 2 anaolog connections on your modem. Given this situation, I would want to get 1 good cordless telephone with all the features on your list, and 1 cheap cordless just for telephoning on.
This will limit you a bit as, the cheaper telephones, sometimes do not have caller ID etc, so only one phone will have the nice stuff on.
However, all phones you buy these days will support most of the features on your list.

Because both phones will be need their own base stations, and radio communications, its worth checking out if there will be any interferance between the radio frequnices.

When I was looking earlier this year at Kabel Deutschland’s offer, I noticed that they give free European calls - but not american. I guess you will want to phone america quite alot, so maybe its worth the extra expense of getting skype cordless phone. You can buy a hanset from them ( you have to or its not compatable! ), that will allow you to chat to america, for nothing, if its skype to skype or a very low cost, if you want to talk directly to a landline. With skype you can also ( if you can be bothered to switch your PC on ) talk and see family and friends in america ( if they have a PC with webcam etc ).