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Q: Why won't my 56K modem connect
at 56K speeds?
A1: Make sure you are calling a phone
number that has a compatible 56K modem at your Internet
Service Provider or AOL. Some phone numbers only have
V34 modems on them and you cannot get 56K speeds calling
these. Also, make sure you are calling a compatible
line. If your ISP has K56flex running, you will not be
able to get an V.90 modem to connect at K56 speeds.
A2: The most common barrier to 56k performance, is the
presence of a SLC96 (slick) concentrator in your
neighborhood. Telephone companies install a SLC96 to
split up lines in existing phone hubs to add more lines
in high-growth areas. This split nullifies the 56k
capability, dropping all lines down to a maximum V.34
specification. A second barrier occurs when a
phone line is stretched beyond 18,000 feet from a
telephone company office, which is beyond the effective
range of the 56k technology. This occurs primarily
in rural areas. Corporate offices that are using
PBX systems will lose 56k capabilities due to line
attenuation. |
