It's not just mobile phones that pack exciting features into stylish, small packages. Home phones too are becoming more technologically advanced.

The Diverse 4010 Executive from BT is a prime example, incorporating a plethora of fancy features that would leave Alexander Graham Bell scratching his head.

Styled in a sleek black casing, this digital cordless telephone is also adept at sending and receiving text messages. If you're a text addict it looks to be the perfect home handset.

As with many telecoms services, there are costs to consider. On top of the £100 handset price, users will also have to fork out £4.50 a month to activate the text function and a subsequent 12p for every message sent.

Nevertheless, it's quite a novel idea that works pretty well. Text messages can be sent to any mobile or compatible fixed-line phone, but messages can only be received from BT Cellnet phones until further networks are signed up. BT claims this will take place in early 2002.

It being a cordless phone, you can have a free roam of up to 300 metres outdoors and 50 metres indoors. The digital aspect ensures superb sound and speech quality, while 200 numbers can be stored in the built-in directory.

An LCD screen displays all the usual information such as battery life, signal strength and caller ID. You can even choose from 10 melodic ring tones.

After an initial overnight charge, the handset can survive 10 hours talk time and up to 150 hours in standby mode. What's more, up to five additional handsets can be registered to one base station.

Labelled an executive phone the Diverse 4010 has a few business-like features, such as a hands-free function and the option to hook it onto a office telephone network, but these don't stop it being a nice telephone for the home.

If you like sending text messages, this is a novel product that costs little more than other digital cordless phones.

Contact: BT 08456 063300
www.bt.co.uk

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