1. Make sure your phone line supports 56K
There's no guarantees when it comes to 56K. 56K technology won't work if there is more than one analog/digital conversion between your home/office and your Internet service provider. You'll still be able to connect at V.34 speeds (a max of 28.8 or 33.6K), but you won't take advantage of the higher speeds 56K offers. U.S. Robotics has a test line that allows you to dial in with your existing V.34 modem and find out if your phone line supports x2. The phone number to call and other details can be found at the page below. If your phone line passes that test, you can probably use a 56K modem. Maybe. It isn't guaranteed, though. The long distance call to the U.S. Robotics test line may be routed through different circuits than a call to your local ISP. Therefore, the test line may say you can use x2 when you can't, and vice versa. The only 100% guaranteed test is to borrow a 56K modem and dial into your local ISP from your home or office. If you haven't tested the connection with a 56K modem, you should buy your modem from a dealer with a generous return policy. If you would like to try the x2 test line, details are on this Web page. But, really, you're ten times better off borrowing a 56K modem and just trying it.
Next rule: K56flex, x2 or V.90? Buy what your ISP uses! 
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