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Q: What
is V.92 and do I need it?
A1: V.92 is the new dial-up modem
specification from the ITU (International
Telecommunications Union) that introduces three new
features that will add convenience and performance for
the modem user. The three features are quick connect,
modem-on-hold and PCM Upstream.
QuickConnect
QuickConnect will shorten the time it takes to make a
connection by remembering ("training") the
phone line characteristics and storing them for later
usage. Typically, the modem handshake (all that noise
you hear) takes from 25 to 27 seconds. Surveys indicate
that people are quite irritated at this length of time.
QuickConnect will cut the modem handshake time in half
for most calls, a significant improvement.
Modem-on-Hold
Many households use the same phone line for both voice
calls and data (Internet), so when the user is browsing
the Internet, an incoming call cannot get through.
Modem-on-Hold allows you to receive an incoming call and
stay connected to the Internet (Call-Waiting service
from your phone company is all that is required). When
you hang up the phone you can resume browsing. It also
works in reverse; you can initiate a voice call while
connected and keep the modem connection. The
"hold" time is defined by your ISP. The V.92
specification allows for hold times to be anywhere from
10 seconds to infinite.
PCM Upstream
PCM Upstream boosts the upstream data rates between the
user and ISP to reduce upload times for large files and
email attachments. A maximum of 48 Kbps upstream rate is
supported. PCM Upstream will work particularly well with
new equipment such as Internet-connected digital
cameras, which primarily upload rather than download
information.
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