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Frequently
Asked Questions
56K
MODEM FAQ
What
are the benefits of 56K?
What do I need to do to access the Internet
at 56K?
Aren't all 56K modems the same?
Does 56K v.92 access cost more?
I've had problems connecting at 28.8K/33.6K with
my current modem. Will I achieve a "true" 56K connection?
Is a modem useful if the highest speed is offered
in only one direction?
Won't this technology hurt the market for ISDN?
I can't even get 28.8K/33.6K now, why should I
even bother with 56K!
What if I purchased a U.S. Robotics X2 modem?
Q.
What are the benefits of 56K?
A. Speed is the primary benefit. You can access the Internet
at a higher speed than with your old 28.8/33.6K modem. A second
benefit is the cost of 56K modems, which is almost the same as 28.8/33.6K
modems. Another benefit is the availability of 56K modem access.
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Q.
What do I need to do to access the Internet at 56K?
A. The only thing you need is a modem that support the v.90
56K protocol or the new v.92 56k protocol.
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Q.
Aren't
all 56K modems the same?
A. No. There are, unfortunately, two major, non-compatible
56K modem standards. Rockwell, Lucent, and a few other companies
combined to promote the K56flex protocol, while U.S. Robotics (now
3Com) has pushed its x2 protocol. The problem is that x2 technology
can only connect to x2 technology, and K56flex can only connect
to K56flex. There is also v.90, which is the official 56K standard.
At Network, we support v.90 and the new v.92 protocol, but
not K56flex or X2.
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Q.
Does 56K v.92 access cost more?
A. No. Network offers 56K v.92 access at no additional
charge. It is just another benefit of being a Network subscriber.
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Q.
I've
had problems connecting at 28.8K/33.6K with my current modem. Will
I achieve a "true" 56Kconnection?
A. Unfortunately, no. 56K is not a guaranteed rate. Rather,
it is the maximum speed that you may approach. Actual connect speed
is dictated by line and signal quality. The better the signal that
a modem can put over the line, the faster the connect speed will
be. We have found that the average connection rate of 56K modems
is in the high-40s.
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Q.
Is a modem useful if the highest speed is offered in only one
direction?
A. Traditional Internet access is a highly asymmetrical process
in that most data flows from the Internet to the end user (downstream)
in the form of graphics or files. Most communications from the end
user to the Internet (upstream) are button clicks or address entries.
56K is therefore ideal for Internet connections.
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Q.
Won't this technology hurt the market for ISDN?
A. No. ISDN will still provide higher speeds of at least
64K and up to 128K data transmission. 56K modems are designed to
be less expensive and easier to set up for end users that want higher
speed connections to the Internet. With 56K modems, though, speed
is not guaranteed, and will most likely be in the 45-50K range.
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Q.
I can't even get 28.8K/33.6K now, why should I even bother with
56K!
A. You can get higher connect speeds with 56K. The half-digital
nature of 56K means that your connect rates will be higher than
with pure analog technology. Plus, Network does not charge
extra for 56K access, and offers it to customers as a free upgrade
in service.
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Q.
What if I purchased a U.S. Robotics X2 modem?
A. Your modem is upgradeable to the v.90 56K standard. Simply
contact USRobotics
or the computer manufacturer who
sold it to you for upgrade instructions.
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