INTRODUCTION

   We may have always preferred wired over wireless connectivity for various reasons (performance and security being the two most important ones) but the same doesn't apply for cordless telephones since they do offer a level of freedom you don't get from corded ones. Looking back, I got my very first cordless telephone over 2 decades ago (circa 1997 and it was the first model Bosch ever brought in the country) and since then I don't even remember how many have gone through both my house and the lab. The arrival of VoIP last year however complicated things for many (myself included really since I really do like keeping things simple) due to the fact that secondary telephone wall plugs were effectively rendered inoperable (bridging them is the only way to resolve this and that takes quite a bit of time not to mention knowledge which some people just don't have) over night. AVM however has provided a very quick and easily solution for FRITZ!Box owners with their FRITZ!Fon line of DECT telephones and so today with us we have their two latest and top of the line models the C4 and C5.

   Best known for its FRITZ!Box models, AVM is a leading manufacturer of broadband devices for DSL, cable, fiber optic and LTE (4G) in Germany and Europe. Products for WiFi, DECT and powerline ensure intelligent networking at home. AVM distributes its products in over 40 countries. The products are sold through national and international distributors, retailers, and specialist vendors. AVM maintains a variety of partnerships with major European network operators and Internet providers. In 2018, AVM achieved a turnover of 520 million euros and employed 750 people.

   Both the FRITZ!Fon C4 and C5 are cordless telephones designed for use with compatible FRITZ!Box Modem/Routers that feature build-in DECT stations (for example the recently reviewed 7530/7590 models - can connect with up to 6 such cordless phones). These two models follow the DECT-GAP standard, offer HD voice/audio quality (7KHz G.722 codec - encrypted upon delivery), have a range of up to 300 meters outdoors (40 meter indoors) and can be used with both standard and internet (VoIP) lines (SIP-compliant RFC3261). Both models also feature the same 180ppi color LCD screen (240x300p - 262.000 colors), illuminated keypad, 3.5mm port (can be connected to a headset) and 750mAh lithium-ion battery pack (up to 6 days in standby and 10 hours of talk time). Other functions include a very useful DECT-Eco mode for reduced power consumption, motion sensor, loudspeaker for hands-free calls, three party conferences, multiple answering machines, baby monitor, multiple phone books with up to 300 entries, call-diversion, remote control function for local media servers and smart home devices and they even offer the ability to read emails (also reply to emails) and RSS feeds and listen to podcasts and web radio.