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Modem Speed
Are you getting the fastest possible speed from your modem? Below are questions and
answers that will help you to achieve the fastest possible speed from your modem. This
page is also designed to inform you of the most successful solutions toward gaining faster
modem speeds. I have a 56K/33.6/28.8 modem and I am not getting 56K/33.6/28.8. Why?
- Modems are rated to their maximum speed. Although your car's speedometer goes to 120 or
140, you'd probably never drive that fast because of weather, time of day, and other
traffic (we're also ignoring the 55 or 65 MPH speed limits.) Phone lines and switches
regulate how fast your modem will be able to send and receive information in the same
manner. You most likely will never hit the maximum speed, though a few lucky people do get
close.
What are the limitations of 56K modems?
- 56K modems are designed to have only one digital to analog switch between you and the
FDT.
- X2 modems will only support speeds of 53K on downloading only. Uploading still has an
upper limit of 33.6K.
- The FCC limits the power output of X2 and V.90 modems. These power limitations put
maximum through put to 53K in these types of modems. 56Kflex modems are not effected by
these power limitations.
- If you're connecting at 42K or better with a 56K modem (or 26.4K with a 33.6 or 28.8),
you're probably doing as well as can be expected.
What connect speed should you expect from your modem?
- 56K modems generally yield speeds between 24,000 - 53,000 bps
- 33.6 modems generally yield speeds between 24,000 - 33,600 bps
- 28.8 modems generally yield speeds between 24,000 - 28,800 bps
- 14.4 modems generally yield a speed of 14,000 bps
What can you do to get the fastest possible speed out of your modem?
- Use the correct modem driver for your modem.
- Try using different phone line jacks for your modem.
- Try a different phone cord connecting your modem to your phone jack.
- Contact your modem manufacturer and get the current firmware upgrade.
- Contact your modem manufacturer and get the current modem driver.
- Contact your modem manufacturer and obtain an initialization string to help increase the
speed.
- Try to use different modem lines if they are available in your area.
- Test your phone line using the test line provided by US Robotics.
Is there anything else that can be done to get a faster connection?
- Unfortunately, the current phone system does not allow everyone to obtain a fast
connection. A good knowledge of the basics will help. If you would like to learn more
about modem basics, you should visit this web site http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~markz/modem.txt.
Is there one modem in particular that will work best with FDT?
- We do not recommend any particular brand of modem. We suggest contacting a local
computer store or searching the World Wide Web for information. One good place to start is
this listing of modem manufacturers http://www.56k.com/links/vendors/.
Links:
- FDT Modem Phone Numbers
- General Information about modems
- US Robotics (3com) phone line test
- FDT's V.90 Page
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