Setting up a bluetooth network around the office for headsets

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Setting up a bluetooth network around the office for headsets - feasibility?

HostingNow

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#116488 30-Apr-2013 20:32

Hi Guys,

We have decided to move staff which require access to the warehouse to bluetooth headsets. Which work great around the office, however, we shortly discovered that there's a nice thick concrete wall between us and the warehouse.

So, the problem is quite obvious, as soon as you walk into the warehouse you lose connectivity to your PC for voice.

The question is quite simple, does anyone have any experience on how to set up a bluetooth access point in the warehouse so staff can have a seamless transition from office.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#808235 30-Apr-2013 20:34

What are you connected to at present?

It's not something Bluetooth was really designed to do.

HostingNow

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#808239 30-Apr-2013 20:36

The office computer has bluetooth. Headsets are connected directly as an audio device.

chevrolux

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#808245 30-Apr-2013 20:43

We have completely gone off Bluetooth for headsets. We used Plantronics gear almost exclusively for headsets and their Bluetooth stuff was just a bit rubbish.
We sell a lot of DECT headsets as they seem to just work infinitely better and there are plenty of options for repeaters. The latest unit we have can be plugged in to the desk phone, USB to a computer and bluetooth to a cell phone and then you just select the 'line' you want by hitting the correct button on the base station of the headset. Obviously though all incoming calls just go straight to the headset without needing to touch the base. Only played with one of these very quickly so don't actually know how good it is.

Am I right in saying Bluetooth is on 2.4GHz whereas DECT is 1.8GHz? Maybe just that little difference is enough to improve propagation through walls and over better distances.

Depending on the distances you need to cover though maybe the staff need an actual DECT handset they carry around? A hell of a lot more options for products then and staff can just have wired ear pieces for the cordless handsets.

theEd

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#809372 1-May-2013 09:43

chevrolux: Am I right in saying Bluetooth is on 2.4GHz whereas DECT is 1.8GHz? Maybe just that little difference is enough to improve propagation through walls and over better distances.

That, and Bluetooth is just very low power. DECT is a much better choice for wireless headsets. We use the Jabra Pro 920 here and cover the entire building (warehouse and offices across 2 floors) no sweat. Have accidentally worn it when walking down to the shop before and it rang while I was on the street.

Bluetooth is also a point-to-point paired system so doesn't lend itself to repeating, whereas DECT can be repeated easily.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#809397 1-May-2013 10:20

Bluetooth won't do this "roaming" for you. The headset is paired to a computer and the computer will route all the sound and input to that device. If the device disconnects from the computer, that's the end of relationship.

It's not something Bluetooth has to solve, but also the OS.