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Yealink W41P: The DECT Desk Phone
Yealink W41P brings about the best of both worlds: The corded, highly reliable T41S in combination with the cordless convenience of the W60B base station.
The W41P pack is excellent for users wishing to retain the feature set and experience provided by desk phones while also utilizing the connection advantages of the DECT system.
To provide potential users with everything they might need to know about the pack, we will detail the W41P’s components.
The W41P bundle comprises the W60B base station, the T41S handset, and the DD10K pairing dongle.
One of the essential ideas behind the W41P pack is to eliminate the need for additional network cables in the workspace. Usually, desk phones such as the T41S are powered via an AC adapter and wired via the local router’s network cable.
The exception comes with switch routers supporting PoE (Power-over-Ethernet) scenarios. In the case of PoE, the network cable also functions as a power supply cable. But the PoE scenario becomes available with routers having the PoE switch.
However, not all routers are PoE-optimized, meaning a fully functioning desk phone needs 2 cables.
In the case of the W41P, the only component that needs to be physically connected via a LAN cable is the W60B base station. The T41S needs only its power supply to function since it links to the base station via the included DD10K dongle.
The base station is the central source of the signal to all the connected devices. As such, it needs to be configured manually. But once configured, up to 8 handsets in total can be initiated automatically.
Thus, the benefits of using a desk phone supporting DECT connection can be summarized in two main points:
1) Reducing the cable clutter;
2) Saving time and effort due to the plug-and-play, automated deployment.
Users experienced with the T41S (or another device from Yealink’s T4 series) will easily transition to the DECT W41P version.
No alterations have been made to the T41S handset except for its ability to connect to the DECT base stations. However, all the other specs and features remain unchanged.
Like the original device, the T41S included in the W41P pack delivers a proper desk phone experience and above-average call quality.
Let’s check how the T41S fairs with a bit more detail.
Design & Appearance
Upon a glance, the T41S is one classic-looking desk phone device. The familiar analog numeric pad; the 5 hard function keys for performing essential call operations such as muting, redialing, or activating the speakerphone; the large and handy navigation menu.
In terms of basic functionality, the T41S ticks all the boxes. It supports an intercom function, up to a 3-way conference call, and has a phonebook with 800 entries. Moreover, it supports 2 concurrent calls with the option of switching between them.
As far as the materials go, there is more to be desired. The phone’s buttons and the surface have a certain kind of plastic feeling, which quality phone products are not known for.
Moreover, it would have been slightly more practical if the entire keypad was backlit. Currently, the only buttons that light up are the mute button and the button for switching to a headset.
The T41S offers plenty of compensation for its flaws.
Unlike the keypad, the T41’s 2.7″ LCD screen does have a backlight. Users who have never worked with the T41S before may find the screen to be somehow small. But the screen handily communicates all the calling and menu information it needs.
Another good thing about the small screen size is that it makes it easy on the eyes—something increasingly valuable in working environments where workers are surrounded by irritating bright screens.
Also, there is a flashing indicator at the top of the screen. Like other similarly positioned indicators of desk phones and smartphones, its function is to notify about voicemail messages or missed calls.
There are also 6 ‘line keys’ on both sides of the screen. These keys can be programmed as speed-dial keys, but there’s more to their utility.
These ‘line keys’, also known as ‘DSS keys’ or ‘BLF (Busy Lamp Field) keys’, display the status information for the number they have been assigned to. This means that users can monitor the availability of their colleagues before deciding to contact them.
The physical ‘line keys’ are just six, but the T41S offers up to 15 such DSS keys. The further 9 DSS keys are displayed on 2 other pages that are easily accessed via the phone’s in-built navigation tools.
DSS keys are configured from the web-based browser or the handset device.
And then, right underneath the screen, there are 4 context-sensitive keys. This means that the functions of these keys change according to what users use the phone for.
For example, during a call, these keys display and perform functions such as ‘Hold’, ‘Transfer’, ‘Conference’, or ‘End Call’.
But when not engaged in a call, the context-sensitive keys act as convenient shortcuts to contacts, history, the DND mode, and the menu.
Like most Yealink phones, the T41S is quite intuitive to operate. Its simplicity of use is good enough to be one of the phone’s selling points.
The T41S from the W41P pack has an included stand accessory with 2 adjustable angles.
The handset is wall-mountable, but the wall stand is not included and is purchased separately.
The Calling Experience
As implied above, the T41S delivers superb two-way sound quality. This is due to the Optima HD audio system Yealink uses across all their devices.
Also, the Opus audio codec ensures a comparatively good call connection, even when the network connection itself is inconsistent.
Users who rely heavily on the speakerphone will be happy, too. The T41S has a full-duplex speakerphone with excellent AEC (‘Anti-Echo Cancellation’) capabilities.
And when tested, the speakerphone performed brilliantly indeed. It delivered a clear speech to the other side of the line when subjected to background noises.
Another mention-worthy feature is the handset’s HAC (Hearing Aid Compatible) properties. When tested, the handset successfully smoothed out the incoming audio, thus making it easier for people with hearing difficulties.
Hardware Integration
The T41S has a single USB 2.0 port for inserting the DD10K dongle. When inserted, the associated W60B base station automatically recognizes the handset device. The plug-and-play deployment process is then initiated.
Alternatively, the USB port can be used for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth dongles or inserting a recording device. However, in the context of the W41P pack, the single available port may only be used for the DD10K pairing dongle.
While not stated by most sellers, the phone can be used with the EXP40 expansion modules – Read our review of the Yealink expansion modules.
Users who wish to use their Plantronics, Jabra, and Sennheiser DECT cordless headsets can do so via the Yealink EHS36 Hookswitch Adapter. The adapter is not included and must be purchased separately.
The above goes for the power AC 5.0 adapter. It is not included in the W41P pack and must be bought separately.
The Base Station
The other key component of the W41P pack is the W60B base station. The W60B is the central component of the W41P ecosystem.
Like most DECT base stations, the W60B supports a wireless range of up to 50 meters indoors and up to 150 meters outdoors. However, in the context of the W41P, this is hardly a benefit.
The range would have mattered in the case of portable DECT phones. The T41S desk phone, on the other hand, needs to remain plugged into its power socket at all times to function.
However, there are other valuable benefits provided by the base station.
In the case of the W60B, 8 devices can be paired to a single base station (in the case of the W41P: the T41S + 7 additional handsets).
Moreover, the base station can support up to 8 concurrent calls. This means that all 8 paired devices can simultaneously be on a call–without causing any signal obstruction.
The W60B can be connected with up to 5 repeaters to extend its signal range.
Repeaters are usually utilized in spacious environments such as hospitals or warehouses.
Because the W60B base functions as a centralized signal hub, it also allows for centralized deployment. The W60B’s Boot mechanism removes complex manual settings, thus saving IT time and costs.
Like the T41S handset, the W60B base station has a stand. However, if it needs to be wall-mounted, the wall stand is purchased additionally.
Final Words
If updating your office communication hardware is ripe, the W41P would be an excellent starting point and a long-term investment.
In exchange for its price, the W41P provides a rock-solid desk phone and a dependable and future-proof base station.
The W60B base stations support models other than the T41S, such as the W73 or CP935W, thus making it quite flexible and scalable as an office utility.