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The speed at which you connect to the Internet is determined by several factors:
- The design and quality of your modem
- The version of the firmware, software or drivers that run your modem
- The signal quality of your particular phone line
- The interaction between you modem and the communications servers used by NetDotCom
Because of all these factors, you should never expect your modem to connect at 56K. The 56K speed is the theoretical maximum. In the real world it is much less. For optimum performance, you will
need to use a 56K V.90 modem with the most up-to-date software, drivers or firmware. How do I obtain updated drivers/firmware for my
modem? For a more detailed explanation and solutions, continue reading.
Background Information
Why 56K does not mean 56k
Port Speed 115200, 57600 & 38400
Common causes and solutions for slow connect speeds
Phone Line Noise
Outdated modem software or drivers
Software modems
Amount of Traffic on the Internet
Distance from the phone company's central office (CO)
More than one digital to analog conversion on the phone lines
Business Phone Systems or PBXs
Due to FCC government restrictions, the maximum connect speed is 53.3 kbps. Almost no one gets a 53.3K connect speed due to
variances in phone lines and modem quality. If you are on a very high quality, short, noise-free 56k compatible phone line, connect speeds will range from 45 kbps to 50 kbps. More typically, 56k connections will range between 38
kbps and 48 kbps. The connect speed may also vary depending on the time of day due to the way the telephone company routes the phone call through the telephone network.
There are actually two speeds to be concerned with when connecting with a modem. The upload speed and the download speed. 56k modems are only capable of higher download speeds. The
maximum upload speed for ANY 56k modem is 33.6 kbps, although they typically average around 26.4 kbps.
Now, for most users, download speed is far more important. Most people should worry about the upload speed. The amount of data you will download exceeds the
data upload by a factor of 10 to 1.
When you open WebPages, receive e-mail, or download files, you are using the download side of your modem. When you send e-mail, or when you
communicate via a chat engine you are using the upload side of the modem. Most people will only notice the slower maximum upload speed of a "56K" modem if they upload a lot of
information when updating their WebPages, while playing online games, or when sending others large attachments via e-mail. If upload speed is important, you may want to look into NetDotCom's DSL
service which is capable of 128-640 kbps upload speeds
When you connect to the Internet, Windows may say what speed it thinks you are connected at. The reading is not always accurate. If it says you are connected at anything above 56,000 bps, the
reading is incorrect since modems are not capable of connecting above 56,000 bps. If it shows you connected at: 115,200 bps, 57,600 bps, or 38,400 bps, it is actually showing you the speed of computer-to-modem speed and not the
modem-to-modem speed. This is usually caused by old and outdated modem drivers or software. AOL software commonly does this to make it appear that their service is better and faster.
Common causes and solutions for slow connect speeds
Many of the same issues that cause slow connect speeds also cause unexpected disconnects. Please also read Why do I get disconnected? for
additional explanations and tips.
Common causes of poor phone line quality:
- Other phones or devices connected to the same phone line as your computer's modem. Phones, caller-ID boxes, and fax machines will degrade the phone line signal quality.
To see if this is the case, remove ALL phone equipment from the line your computer is connected to even if it is in a different room. If you have a phone connected to the back of your modem, remove
this as well.
- Poor in-house wiring is a common source of degradation. One of the first things to do if you have erratic connections or disconnects is to try connecting your modem to a different phone jack or
different phone line (if you have more than one). You may also want to try using a different phone cord, making sure it is not frayed or damaged in any way. Try connecting your computer directly to the telephone junction box
installed by the phone company in or outside your home or business. This junction box contains a standard modular phone connector that will disconnect all phone wiring within your home thereby eliminating it as a source of
problems.
- Line-splitters, noise filters, phone-line extension cords, phone-line surge-protectors or damaged phone lines can cause significant issues. Discontinue the use of these devices at
least for a week to see if it makes any difference in your connection quality.
- Seasonal changes in weather conditions: temperature, high and low humidity, wind, rain and snow can affect the wires leading from the phone company to your location dramatically.
- Outdated telephone company electronics that are not compatible with 56k speed requirements. This is very common in rural areas or places with old, poorly maintained or damaged wiring. Due to the low population in these
areas, the phone company replaces old or semi-damaged phone lines very slowly. This usually results in speeds consistently below 33.6K.
- Extremely long phone lines. If you live in a rural or older, established areas
sometimes the phone lines leading to your location are extremely long 5+ miles. This results in weaker signals which leads to slower speeds and frequent disconnects. While sufficient for voice it severely degrades modem
performance.
- High phone line traffic. During peak calling times, traffic on the telephone system (which includes voice calls), quality may degrade or the phone company may route the call differently depending on the time of day
or on line traffic. This usually results in erratic connections speeds only at certain times of day.
- Phone line noise: If there is any noise present on your phone line contact the phone company repair center
immediately. Each any every phone line should be absolutely free of any audible noise. Perform these simple tests yourself. Disconnect all phones in your home but one (must not be a cordless phone). Pick up a corded phone
handset, listen to the dial tone. It should be loud and clear. Next press a single digit and listen again. There should be dead silence. If you hear any background noise during either of these tests contact the phone company
for repairs.
Software modems are very common nowadays due to their very low cost. They work by off-loading nearly all of the error correction and processing to the computer's CPU. Some of the worst software modems require even more CPU speed
and lots of RAM. However, because of their design, most software modems do not perform well except under perfectly optimum conditions. A significant percentage of these modems will not connect above 33.6 kbps even if your phone
lines are 56k compatible.
If you are getting slow connect speeds with a software modem, try obtaining
a firmware/driver update for your software modem. Optionally try connecting the modem to a different phone line (different number not outlet), perhaps your neighbor. Additional detail about software modems can be found at: http://www.56k.com/reports/winmodem.shtml.
To function, modems run off of software that it installed into Windows or your Mac OS (these are called software modems) or off of firmware stored on the modem itself (these are called hardware
modems). This software or firmware can contain errors or bugs that hinder the modem's performance under certain circumstances. When the modem manufacturer locates these errors, it will usually attempt
to fix them and then release the updated modem software, firmware or drivers which it will post on its website. You would then download the appropriate update for your modem (which is usually free) and
install it.
If you do not update your modem software or drivers the result will usually be slower connect speeds, disconnects or trouble connecting at all. This is why it is very important to use a modem from a
well established and reputable manufacturer. No-name generic modems are not bargains and if you have one, you will typically be on your own. Each manufacturer has different procedures and methods for
updating your modem so it is very important to read all instructions or documentation before installing an updated modem driver or software.
How do I obtain updated drivers or firmware for my modem?
If too many people are attempting to access the same web site at the same time, then the speed that you can get that site is drastically reduced. This kind of situation is most obvious in extreme cases, such
as if there is a major computer virus scare--almost instantly anti-virus websites are inundated with people trying to access their site, causing it to slow down or be completely inaccessible. Websites
are designed to only handle certain amounts of traffic. This has nothing to do with what Internet provider you are using--it affects everyone.
Usually, the situation is less extreme than this, and a site will become moderately slower or faster depending on the number of people attempting to visit the site. If you cannot seem to access a
site at a certain time of day, try it again at some other time. Different sites have different times that they experience peak usage.
If you are located more than about 3.5 miles from your telephone company's central office (CO), you will not be able to get 56k connections. In other words, you will not be able to connect
above 28.8/33.6 kbps. This is often the case if you are in a rural area. A high-quality hardware modem may be able to extend this distance if it has excellent line handling abilities. Oppositely, a
poor quality software-based modem will have to be closer the the CO to connect at the same speed of the hardware modem.
In order to connect above 33.6 K, your call cannot be routed over more than one digital to analog (A/D) conversion. If there is more than one A/D conversion you will not be able to get 56k
connections. In other words, you will not be able to connect above 33.6 kbps. This is common in rural area or in places (usually suburban areas) where the phone company has added
additional equipment to expand its capacity for voice traffic.
Adding to the confusion, you may have one A/D at certain times of the day and more than one A/D conversion at other times depending on how the phone company routes your call. The phone company has complete control over this and
the routing usually changes depending on the phone company's line traffic.
If you are dialing into NetDotCom from an office, make sure your modem is connected directly to an "outside" phone line (such as a fax machine would use) and not a phone line connected to a phone system or PBX. Business phone
systems are usually not optimized for data communications and will often limit your connection speed below 33.6 kbps regardless of what type of modem you are using. If you have to dial a
"9" to reach an outside line when your computer dials out, you are connected behind a PBX. You will want the computer on a standard analog phone line, such as one that a fax machine would use.
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