| Protocol |
Top speed in bits/kilobits |
in kilobytes |
| V.32 |
9600 bits per second |
1.2 kilobytes per second |
| V.32bis |
14.4Kbps |
1.8KB per second |
| V.34 |
28.8Kbps |
3.6KB per second |
| V.34+ |
33.6Kbps |
4.2KB per second |
| V.90 |
56Kbps |
7.0KB per second |
| V.92 |
Click here for
more info on V.92 |
The latest and fastest dial-up modem
protocols allows you to download from the Internet at speeds
of around 56Kbps, which is about 7 kilobytes per second or
more if using V.92. But things have to be just right to reach
the highest speeds. Use the tips below to help achieve the
best 56K connection:
-
Use a short, high-quality phone
cable to connect your modem to the jack. Tripped over your
cable? It may just be defective!
-
Connect using a plain old
telephone line. PBX switches in offices will prevent 56K
connections.
-
Make sure both your access number
and your modem support 56K (v.90 or v.92).
-
Talk to your phone company. Ask
them to perform some tests on the phone lines in your area,
in case they're able to find equipment that needs
maintenance. However, there may be some aspects of the phone
system in your area that will prevent 56K connections, about
which there's nothing you can do.
It's interesting to note that 56K
connections can receive information faster than they can send
it — no matter how good your 56K connection is, you won't be
able to upload faster than 33.6Kbps. That's because your modem
and phone line are analog, so the information your computer's
sending must be converted to analog form, introducing noise
and reducing the speed. E-List's modems and phone lines, on
the other hand, are digital, so when you're downloading
information, E-List doesn't have to convert it to analog (that
happens later, when it gets to your phone company). Fewer
conversions mean fewer errors creeping in, allowing faster
transfer rates.
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