The terms "analog" and "digital" refer to the way in which telephones transfer people's voices. The former is an older technology while the latter is relatively new. The change between them is helping to revolutionize communications technology.
Analog
Analog phone signals interpret sound as an electronic pulse which is analogous to the sound being interpreted. That's where the name "analog" comes from.
Digital
Digital signals break the sound down into a binary code (1s and 0s) much is the way a computer stores information. Your phone then restructures the code into a representation of the sound.
Advantages of Analog
Analog signals are cheaper to send, and they still provide a clear voice. Some musicians claim that analog sounds allow for greater subtlety and inflection as well.
Advantages of Digital
Digital signals take up much less space than analog signals, which means more information can be sent. The result is a much clearer signal with greater range for cordless phones and easier encryption to keep others from eavesdropping on your conversations.
Which is Which?
Analog phones likely have the phrase "complies with part 68, FCC Rules" stamped on the back, along with a Ringer Equivalence Number. Digital phones have many more functions available and, in a business environment, you must usually dial "9" on a digital phone before dialing the number itself.
Tags: Analog Analog, Digital Digital, Digital Digital signals, Digital signals
