Phone / mobile / Internet / VOIP / video on demand

I am at a point where I have to upgrade or renew almost all of my phones, internet access and tv connections. My analog phone is dying plus I need a new handy. I have seen these DECT phones that act as a festnetz phone while at home or near a hotspot, and otherwise function as a handy, are these for real and can you use them without a contract, i.e. Simyo. At the same time I am thinking about a VOIP phone, whatever that is.

I have T-Com ADSL 1000, and was planning on upgrading to T-Com DSL6000 in Dec. when they will start a special offer of DSL6000 for 19.99euro - the current price of DSL2000. In the meantime, I have seen the new VDSL offers. VDSL is not available in my area, so I don´t know if I should hold off on the DSL6000 upgrade and wait for VDSL, I don`t want to be stuck in a 2 year contract. We don´t have cable TV and my DVB-T receiver just blew up (electronics and water...). VDSL with Telekoms T-Home might be better than buying a new DVB-T receiver.

Does anybody have input on this? DECT phone instead of a handy, VDSL instead of ADSL, etc. I do not want to buy all this stuff, and have it out of date in January 2007.

Thanks...

Then wait till Feb 2007

VDSL isn't avail yet. And many places can't get 16MB either...
There are some Tripple haed packages avail from 1und1, alice and Telekom. have a loook at their sites for more info.

I just spoke to a friend who informed me that DECT is the European standard for wireless phones and has nothing to do with working as a handy. The problem with DECT phones is they emit large amounts of radiation all the time, even when not in use. Is this just another crazy radiation story, or should you stay away from DECT phones? This friend has a special DECT phone that reduces the amount of radiation emitted when not in use (rolling my eyes).

The other option is a GSM phone with WLAN capabilities, which together with a VOIP account will let me talk over a WLAN connection either at home or at a hotspot. This can be okay for home, but these phones are much bigger than typical handys, essentially the size of a standard wireless headset. In my opinion VOIP quality is not perfect and the cost is not so much better than the fixed network call when using a pre-dial number (010 51, etc.).

Within Europe, if you want a wireless phone do you have to buy a DECT phone? Are analog phones from the US illegal? I am currently using an analog wireless phone from the US, it works fine but the keypad is giving out, that is why I am looking to replace it.

Most DECT phones reduce power automatically when in stand-by. The main problem with the DECT standard is that it is a pulsed radiation which some claim affects health. Don't know many homes without one, however. WLAN uses similar frequencies and power as DECT so adds to any potential problem. Given that GSM has a range of a few kilometres, compared to DECT with a range of 300m, and is usually kept close to your body ask yourself which is potentially more risky!
Elderly analogue wireless phones from the USA are not only illegal here (they share one of the local emergency frequencies) their lower frequency is considered more dangerous than the others mentioned.
Ignore the bringers of doom - even if you have no DECT, WLAN or GSM phone there likelihood is you'll still be radiated to death by the neighbo(u)rs equipment.